Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has revealed that regular consumption of red meat is associated with a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from over 1.9 million adults across 20 countries, including regions in Southeast Asia, provides the most comprehensive evidence to date on this health risk.
The study examined the habitual consumption of three types of meat—processed meat, unprocessed red meat, and poultry—and their daily intake levels. The findings indicate that consuming 50 grams of processed meat daily is associated with a 15% increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Similarly, consuming 100 grams of unprocessed red meat daily is linked to a 10% increase in risk, while 100 grams of poultry is associated with an 8% increase.
An international team of researchers from countries including the US, UK, Brazil, and Mexico conducted the study. They pointed out that meat consumption often exceeds recommended levels globally and has been correlated with several non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes. However, the majority of existing evidence has been based on studies from high-income countries in North America and Europe.
This study included 31 cohorts from the InterConnect project, using data compiled from scientific studies, online registries, and unpublished information. Among the 1,966,444 participants, more than 100,000 developed type 2 diabetes over an average follow-up period of 10 years.
The study’s findings varied by region. For example, in the Americas, the intake of unprocessed red meat and processed meat was associated with a 13% and 17% increased risk of diabetes, respectively. In Europe, these figures were 6% and 13%, while in the Western Pacific and East Asia, the risk was 17% and 15%.
Interestingly, the researchers found that replacing 50 grams of processed meat with 100 grams of unprocessed red meat could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7% on average. Replacing 50 grams of processed meat with 100 grams of poultry daily reduced the risk by 10%. However, the study found no significant evidence that replacing unprocessed red meat with poultry reduces diabetes risk.
This study highlights the importance of dietary choices in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes, particularly in regions where meat consumption is high. It also suggests that dietary guidelines should consider the varying impacts of different types of meat on diabetes risk.
