A new analysis published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has found that consuming processed meat and unprocessed red meat is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study, which analyzed data from nearly two million participants across 31 study cohorts in 20 countries, provides the most comprehensive evidence to date on this link.
Led by researchers from the University of Cambridge, the study found that daily consumption of 50 grams of processed meat, equivalent to two slices of ham, is associated with a 15% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next decade. Similarly, consuming 100 grams of unprocessed red meat, such as a small steak, daily is linked to a 10% higher risk.
While the study also examined the effects of poultry consumption, the link between eating 100 grams of poultry daily and an 8% increased risk of type 2 diabetes was found to be less robust after further analysis.
Professor Nita Forouhi from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, a senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of limiting processed and unprocessed red meat consumption to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. She also noted that while the findings offer more insights into the association between poultry consumption and diabetes, the link remains uncertain and requires further investigation.
The research, part of the global InterConnect project, allowed for a detailed analysis of individual participant data from diverse studies, expanding the evidence base and reducing potential biases. This approach enabled the inclusion of studies from regions underrepresented in previous research, such as the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia, and Africa.
Professor Nick Wareham, Director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit and senior author, highlighted the importance of studying risk factors across diverse populations worldwide and called for increased research investment in these underrepresented regions.