Eating red and processed meat associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes

The consumption of red and processed meat is associated with a higher type 2 diabetes risk, according to an analysis of data from 1.97 million participants. The research is published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. The research team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge used the global InterConnect project to analyse data from 31 study cohorts in 20 different countries.

The researchers found that the habitual consumption of 50 grams of processed meat a day (equivalent to 2 slices of ham) was associated with a 15% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years. The consumption of 100 grams of unprocessed red meat a day (equivalent to a small steak) was associated with a 10% higher risk of type 2 diabetes.