Many people are unaware that some of their daily habits could be significantly increasing their risk of developing diabetes. While genetics and age play a role, lifestyle choices have a crucial impact and are easier to modify. Here are seven common, everyday habits that could be elevating your diabetes risk:

1. Prolonged Sedentary Behavior

A sedentary lifestyle, characterized by prolonged periods of sitting, slows down metabolism and reduces the body's ability to effectively use insulin, leading to insulin resistance. Research has linked extended periods of sitting with poor blood sugar control and higher insulin levels. Replacing just 30 minutes a day of sedentary behavior with physical activity can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 6 to 31 percent. Experts recommend standing up and stretching every hour to mitigate these risks. Even small increases in physical activity can have a huge impact.

2. Skipping Breakfast

Skipping breakfast can disrupt the body's metabolic processes and increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Individuals who regularly skip breakfast have been shown to have higher blood sugar levels and increased insulin resistance, both precursors to diabetes. Missing breakfast can also lead to consuming more calories later in the day, contributing to weight gain, a significant risk factor for hypertension.

3. Excessive Sugar Consumption

Consuming too much sugar, particularly from sugary drinks, desserts, and processed snacks, causes blood sugar spikes and contributes to weight gain, both major triggers for diabetes. Sugary beverages like sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened coffees are significant contributors to the development of diabetes because they cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels and contribute to insulin resistance over time.

4. Poor Sleep Habits

Inconsistent, insufficient sleep can disrupt the body's natural rhythms and increase the risk of metabolic disorders. Chronic sleep deprivation raises the risk of diabetes. Participants who reported difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep had higher blood sugar levels than those who rarely had sleep issues, suggesting that insomnia may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Poor sleep affects hormones that regulate hunger and glucose processing, making the body more prone to developing diabetes.

5. Unmanaged Stress

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can increase blood sugar levels and create long-term metabolic problems. Stress, diet, levels of physical activity and distribution of body fat are hard to separate.

6. Inadequate Hydration

Low water intake may push people toward sugary beverages and can make the body conserve glucose, raising diabetes risk.

7. Late-Night Eating

Indulging in late-night meals can lead to poor digestion and higher blood sugar levels because the body's metabolism slows down at night. Eating dinner late or indulging in midnight snacks induces glucose intolerance and increases the risk of developing diabetes over time. A study showed high blood sugar levels and weight gain in those eating later.

Being mindful of these everyday habits and making conscious efforts to adopt a healthier lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes.