Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Melatonin shows no effect on diabetes risk markers in night workers

Last updated August 16, 2026

Key finding

There was no significant difference in blood glucose levels between groups (p=0.36).

This study investigated the effects of melatonin on diabetes risk markers in night workers, finding no significant differences between melatonin and placebo groups.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 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 on diabetes risk markers in night workers, finding no significant differences between melatonin and placebo groups.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the impact of melatonin on diabetes risk markers is crucial for night workers, who may be at higher risk due to disrupted sleep patterns. This study's findings suggest that melatonin may not be an effective intervention for managing diabetes risk in this population, highlighting the need for alternative strategies.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect the generalizability of results. Study population consisted solely of night workers, limiting applicability to other groups. No long-term follow-up to assess lasting effects of melatonin.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Carlos ARDS, Luciana FN, José C, Claudia RDCM, Elaine CM. Melatonin Administration and Diabetes Risk Markers in Night Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2024;11:1285398. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1285398

Main Effects

No significant difference in blood glucose levels between melatonin and placebo groups (p=0.36).

No significant difference in insulin levels between groups (p=0.67).

No significant difference in HbA1c levels between groups (p=0.79).

No significant difference in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between groups (p=0.50).

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 Blood glucose, HbA1c, Insulin, and 1 more.

Primary intervention

Melatonin

Primary outcomes

  • Blood glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Insulin

Primary intervention

Evidence relationships

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

4
Evidence pairs
4
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

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.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 64

2

Related topics

4

Evidence pairs

622

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 4 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Glycemic Control

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Blood glucose

Melatonin → Blood glucose

Melatonin → Blood glucose

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Melatonin → HbA1c

Melatonin → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
77
Strong
ImpactScore™
67
Slightly Positive
ConsistencyScore™
67
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin

Melatonin → Insulin

Melatonin → Insulin

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin resistance

Melatonin → Insulin resistance

Melatonin → Insulin resistance

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Melatonin did not significantly lower blood glucose levels (p=0.36).
  • Insulin levels remained unchanged with melatonin compared to placebo (p=0.67).
  • HbA1c levels showed no significant difference between groups (p=0.79).
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Night workers potentially at risk for diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking interventions for diabetes risk management.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to populations outside of night workers.
  • Short duration of the study limits understanding of long-term effects.
  • Lack of significant findings suggests further research is needed.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect the generalizability of results.
  • Study population consisted solely of night workers, limiting applicability to other groups.
  • No long-term follow-up to assess lasting effects of melatonin.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Melatonin and HbA1c, Melatonin and Insulin Resistance.

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 HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Melatonin may improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 77.4 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

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

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Melatonin improve insulin resistance?

Moderate Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Melatonin for Insulin resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

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

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Melatonin improve blood glucose?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Melatonin for Blood glucose.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Blood glucose

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

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

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Melatonin improve insulin?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Melatonin for Insulin.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

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

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026
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