How Air Pollution Drives Obesity and Diabetes
Air pollution is known to be harmful to our lungs and heart, but recent research suggests it may also negatively impact our metabolism.
A study by the University of Zurich and Case Western Reserve University found that long-term exposure to polluted air can damage the body's ability to control blood sugar, increasing the risk of problems like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
The Impact of PM2.5
Researchers focused on tiny particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and come from sources like car exhaust, smoke, and factory pollution.
- Car exhaust
- Smoke
- Factory pollution
Experimental Findings
To investigate the effects of PM2.5, scientists conducted an experiment on mice, exposing some to clean, filtered air and others to air filled with PM2.5 for six hours a day, five days a week, over 24 weeks.
Author's summary: Air pollution may hurt metabolism.