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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Melatonin may reduce insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated August 16, 2026

Key finding

Insulin sensitivity decreased after melatonin (3.6 [2.9–4.4] vs. 4.1 [3.2–5.2] mg/(kg·min), p = .016)

This study investigated the effects of melatonin treatment on insulin sensitivity in male patients with type 2 diabetes, finding a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity compared to placebo.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effects of melatonin treatment on insulin sensitivity in male patients with type 2 diabetes, finding a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity compared to placebo.

Clinical relevance

These findings are clinically significant as they suggest that melatonin, often used for sleep disorders, may adversely affect insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. This could have implications for treatment strategies and patient management, highlighting the need for careful consideration of melatonin use in this population.

Keep in mind

Limited to male participants, affecting generalizability. Potential confounding factors not controlled for. Small sample size may limit the robustness of findings.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Esben SL, Ulla K, Mette GBP, et al. Melatonin treatment reduces insulin sensitivity in male patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pineal Research. 2022;73(1):e12809. doi:10.1111/jpi.12809

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

Insulin sensitivity decreased after melatonin treatment (3.6 vs. 4.1 mg/(kg·min), p = .016).

Second-phase insulin response increased after melatonin treatment (p = .03).

No significant change in insulin sensitivity after placebo treatment.

No significant change in second-phase insulin response after placebo treatment.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Melatonin and Insulin sensitivity, Second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Melatonin

Outcome

Insulin sensitivity

Primary intervention

Melatonin

Primary outcomes

  • Insulin sensitivity
  • Second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test

Primary intervention

Melatonin

Primary outcomes

Insulin sensitivitySecond-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

2
Evidence pairs
2
Relationships
0
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Limited contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 42

0

Related topics

2

Evidence pairs

0

Related studies

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 2 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 0 direct semantic evidence topics

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Insulin sensitivity

Melatonin → Insulin sensitivity

Melatonin → Insulin sensitivity

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
38
Slightly Negative
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
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Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Melatonin treatment decreased insulin sensitivity by 0.5 mg/(kg·min), p = 0.016.
  • Second-phase insulin response increased by 0.5 units after melatonin, p = 0.03.
  • Placebo treatment showed no significant changes in insulin sensitivity or second-phase insulin response.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Male patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals considering melatonin for sleep-related issues.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Findings may not apply to female patients or other demographics.
  • Further research is needed to explore long-term effects of melatonin.
  • Caution is advised when using melatonin in diabetic patients due to potential adverse effects.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited to male participants, affecting generalizability.
  • Potential confounding factors not controlled for.
  • Small sample size may limit the robustness of findings.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Melatonin and Insulin Resistance, Melatonin and Second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Melatonin improve insulin sensitivity?

Moderate Evidence

Melatonin may worsen insulin sensitivity or be associated with harm.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin sensitivity

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | weak negative | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Melatonin improve second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test?

Emerging Evidence

Melatonin appears to improve second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence
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All studies on Melatonin and Insulin sensitivityAll studies on Melatonin and Second-phase insulin response during intravenous glucose tolerance test

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