What the Medical Experts Say About Mornings and Diabetes
To understand why mornings are so important, it helps to know a little about what’s happening inside your body when you wake up. Medical experts agree that the morning hours present unique challenges for blood sugar management due to natural hormonal processes.
One of the key concepts is something called the “dawn phenomenon.” Between about 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., your body naturally releases a surge of hormones, including cortisol and growth hormone. These hormones signal your liver to release stored glucose (sugar) into your bloodstream to give you the energy to wake up and start your day. For someone without diabetes, the body simply produces more insulin to handle this extra sugar. However, if you have diabetes, your body may not produce enough insulin, or may not use it effectively, causing your blood sugar levels to rise significantly, even before you’ve eaten a single bite.
Another, less common issue is the “Somogyi effect,” where blood sugar drops too low overnight (often due to medication), and the body overcorrects by releasing hormones that spike glucose levels by morning. Both of these situations highlight why a stable and thoughtful morning routine is not just helpful—it’s essential.
The consensus among endocrinologists and diabetes educators is that consistent and mindful diabetes habits, especially in the morning, are a cornerstone of effective management. The choices you make regarding food, medication, hydration, and gentle activity in the first few hours of your day can directly counteract these natural hormonal surges and prevent those hard-to-manage blood sugar spikes. Creating a structured morning routine helps provide your body with the stability it needs to thrive.
This article summarizes expert opinions. For in-depth research and clinical guidelines, refer to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and trusted medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic. The NCOA provides expert-vetted resources for seniors.
