Final answer:
One potential consequence of sleep apnea is insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A possible consequence of sleep apnea includes insulin resistance. Sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, leads to poor sleep quality and subsequent health issues. In the context of metabolic effects, the chronic sleep deprivation and intermittent hypoxia (low oxygen levels) associated with sleep apnea can affect insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance. This can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and is considered one of the serious long-term consequences of the condition.