Effects of communication with others on postprandial blood glucose tolerance

Abstract

The number of people experiencing loneliness is increasing, and loneliness has been reported to negatively impact health. Social communication has been proposed as a means of coping with loneliness, and socializing can reduce stress levels and improve glycemic control, although the temporal effects have not been well studied. Stress responses vary depending on the relationship with the partner, and interacting with strangers can cause higher stress levels. This study used a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test to investigate the short-term effects of social communication on biological indicators, including postprandial blood glucose levels. Three conditions were tested: no communication, friend communication, and stranger communication. Measurements included blood sugar levels, positive and negative emotions, and cortisol as an objective stress indicator. Interacting with friends reduced negative emotions, suppressed stress, lowered cortisol levels, and suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia. Conversely, interacting with strangers increased stress, cortisol, and postprandial blood sugar levels. Overall, social communication temporally influenced postprandial blood glucose levels. Socializing with friends had a positive impact on health by suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia associated with illness.