Regularly eating meat is associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a recent analysis of medical data on nearly 2 million people across 20 countries.
The risk is most pronounced for those who eat processed meats or red meat, according to the analysis, which was published in the scientific journal The Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology.
The researchers found that regularly eating:
- 50 grams of processed meat per day — equivalent to two slices of ham — is associated with a 15% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.
- 100 grams of unprocessed red meat per day — equivalent to a small steak — is associated with a 10% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.
Initially, the researchers found that habitual consumption of 100 grams of poultry per day boosted the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 8%. However, further analysis showed this connection was weak, and the researchers said more study is needed on a possible link between poultry consumption and diabetes.
One of the study’s senior authors — professor Nita Forouhi of the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge — said in a summary of the findings:
“Our research provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of an association between eating processed meat and unprocessed red meat and a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes. It supports recommendations to limit the consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat to reduce type 2 diabetes cases in the population.”
Type 2 diabetes is just the latest major health problem that meat consumption has been tied to. There’s heart disease, of course. Then there’s colorectal cancer.
The World Health Organization has officially declared processed meat a known carcinogen in humans, meaning it’s known to cause cancer (specifically colorectal cancer) in humans, as we detail in “8 Common Foods That May Increase Your Risk of Cancer.”
The WHO deemed red meat a probable carcinogen in humans, meaning it probably causes cancer in humans. It’s associated primarily with colorectal cancer but also with pancreatic and prostate cancers.
Some research has suggested that even small amounts of sausage, cold cuts and bacon can be bad for your health.
If these findings leave you concerned, check out “8 Easy Ways to Cut Back on Meat.”
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