A diet high in meat — especially processed meat and unprocessed red meat — may increase the risk of developing it Type 2 diabetesAccording to new research from the University of Cambridge.
Analyzing data from nearly two million people who took part in 31 studies in 20 countries, researchers found that eating 50 grams of processed meat a day – the equivalent of two slices of ham or bacon or a small sausage – led to a 15% higher risk of heart disease. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next decade, the university’s press release noted.
Eating 100 g Unprocessed red meat per day – roughly one small steak – led to a 10% higher risk.
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The findings are published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
Initially, eating 100 grams of chicken was shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 8%, but the link was weaker when tested under different conditions, suggesting that more research is needed.
A diet high in meat – particularly processed meat and unprocessed red meat – may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. (iStock)
“Our findings provide the largest and most comprehensive evidence of an association between meat consumption and developing risk. Type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Dr. Sunxiao Li of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge in an email to Fox News Digital.
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“The association between eating processed meat and red meat and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is strong and consistent across populations in different world regions and countries.”
In their analysis, the researchers took into account several factors such as age, gender, health-related behaviors (such as smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity), energy intake, body weight, waist circumference and family history of diabetes. , as well as other foods are consumed, Li said.
Deli meats or canned meats can easily contain 500 to 1,500 milligrams of sodium per serving, says a registered dietitian nutritionist. (iStock)
This study follows many that have previously suggested this link.
“It is important to expand the investigation to underrepresented populations in countries outside of North America and Europe that have previously often dominated research,” Li said.
‘An example of observational research’
Ken D. Perry, MD, a board-certified family physician practicing in rural Tennessee, disagrees with that premise. Meat consumption Increases the risk of diabetes.
“This is an example of observational research,” Perry, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital via email.
“By its very nature, it can never show that one thing causes another,” he continued. “All this kind of research can do is report a possible connection between one thing and another.”
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Sophie Lauer, MD, a Baltimore-based registered dietitian at Aeroflow Diabetes, which helps people with diabetes get the nutrients they need, said people who eat more meat tend to eat less of the rest. Foods known to improve health Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes reduce disease risk.
“All this kind of research can do is report a possible connection between one thing and another.”
“Meat is also a source of saturated fat, and high-fat diets have been linked to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes,” LaVar, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.
According to Laver, meat eaters are also more likely to eat more of it.
Some dietitians recommend a preference for plant-based foods over eating large amounts of meat and animal products. (iStock)
“With this way of eating, meat is the focus of the plate rather than foods that are low in calories, high in fiber, and full of natural plant compounds,” he said.
“We are also learning about the importance of a diverse microbiome in preventing obesity and diabetes, and this is achieved by eating a diverse diet rich in plant foods.”
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Tanya Freirich, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Charlotte, North CarolinaA practicing lupus dietitian warns that consumption of processed meats can cause inflammation, and high intakes of saturated fats can increase insulin resistance.
“Processed meats contain most of the recommended daily intake of sodium in one serving,” said Freirich, who was not affiliated with the research.
“For example, deli meats or canned meats can easily contain 500 to 1500 mg of sodium per serving.”
Possible limitations
Data used to measure how much food people eat is often based on a one-time questionnaire, Li noted.
“Previous research has shown that measuring food intake once is less accurate than measuring it multiple times, and this weakens the observed association. Health hazards,” he told Fox News Digital.
Eating 100 grams of unprocessed red meat a day — roughly the size of a small steak — led to a 10% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers say. (iStock)
“Thus, our findings suggest an association between meat intake and type 2 diabetes, but the true link may be stronger than we found.”
Perry acknowledged that the questionnaire format was a major limitation.
“This type of research is based on multiple choice tests given to study participants called food frequency questionnaires,” he said.
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“Participants often fill out these questions every few years to be able to remember what they ate two years ago or more.”
Li noted that although researchers have significantly increased the geographic diversity of study sites compared to previous studies, data from some regions such as Africa is still scarce.
Researchers found that eating 50 grams of processed meat a day – the equivalent of one hot dog – led to a 15% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next decade. (iStock)
“This represents an important knowledge gap and highlights the need for further research in these areas,” he said.
Freirich echoed the truth Research is worth noting And looks only at associations – two factors that increase or decrease in the same direction.
“We can’t say for sure that one caused the other,” he told Fox News Digital.
The World Health Organization recommends consuming no more than three portions, the equivalent of 12 to 18 ounces of cooked red meat, each week.
“In an observational study, we don’t see the picture of the individual—researchers only look at two factors, the type of protein consumption and type 2 diabetes risk,” Freirich continued.
“We don’t understand or measure the rest of people’s diet, like how many vegetables they consume or how much they eat. Physical activity happening.”
What is the recommendation?
“Our research supports current dietary guidelines that recommend reducing processed meat and unprocessed red meat consumption to reduce disease burden,” Li said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously classified processed meat and red meat as carcinogenic to humans, the American Institute for Research on Cancer (AIRC), recommends avoiding processed meats.
The World Health Organization previously classified processed meat and red meat as carcinogenic to humans. (iStock)
“For processed meat, the WHO recommends that there is no safe limit, so it is best to avoid or reduce consumption,” Li said.
“For red meat, WHO recommends consuming no more than three portions of cooked red meat equivalents of about 350 to 500 grams (about 12 to 18 ounces) each week.”
Perry disagrees, suggesting that people continue to eat nutrient-dense, healthy red meat — “our ancestors have been doing it for over a million years.”
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“There’s a group of nutrition researchers who believe that A plant-based diet And they’re citing research like this to promote this diet,” he said.
“People who don’t read about the research findings only read the headlines of such articles, and they stop eating very healthy, ancestral foods that are packed with nutrients.”
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Lauer, on the other hand, recommends prioritizing plant-based diets over a diet heavy on meat and animal products.
“Plant foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We don’t understand or evaluate the rest of their diet, like how many vegetables people are consuming, or how much physical activity they’re doing.”
“These whole foods are low in calories, nutrient-dense, minimally processed, high in fiber, and they foster an environment for diverse microbes.”
Freirich recommends that people think about them Diet and lifestyle Overall including their own medical history.
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“All clinical decisions and choices related to diet should be individualized and individualized,” he said. “What works for you may not work for your neighbor.”
People should also talk to them Medical service provider Experts agreed to receive personalized recommendations.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for comment.
