A new analysis involving nearly 1.97 million participants published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reveals a connection between meat consumption—especially processed and unprocessed red meat—and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Meat production has surged dramatically over the past few decades, leading to consumption levels that surpass dietary guidelines in many nations. Previous studies suggested that high intake of processed and unprocessed red meat might elevate the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the conclusions have been inconsistent.
Poultry options like chicken, turkey, and duck are often seen as healthier alternatives to processed and unprocessed red meats, yet research exploring the relationship between poultry consumption and type 2 diabetes is limited.
To better understand how processed meat, unprocessed red meat, and poultry relate to the risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers from the University of Cambridge conducted a comprehensive analysis using data from 31 study cohorts across 20 countries as part of the global InterConnect project. The study carefully considered various factors including age, gender, lifestyle habits, caloric intake, and body mass index.
The analysis found that regularly consuming 50 grams of processed meat daily—about the amount in two slices of ham—was linked to a 15% greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes within the next decade. In contrast, eating 100 grams of unprocessed red meat daily—similar to a small steak—was associated with a 10% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Regularly consuming 100 grams of poultry each day was linked to an 8% higher risk; however, further evaluations showed that the link between poultry and diabetes risk weakened while the connections for processed and unprocessed meats remained strong.
Professor Nita Forouhi from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, who co-authored the study, stated:
“Our research presents the most extensive evidence to date that eating processed meat and unprocessed red meat is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This supports existing recommendations to reduce the intake of these meats to help decrease diabetes cases in the population.
While our findings provide greater insight into the relationship between poultry consumption and type 2 diabetes compared to previous studies, the connection remains uncertain and warrants further exploration.”
InterConnect employs a method that allows researchers to analyze detailed participant data from various studies rather than relying solely on published outcomes. This approach enabled the authors to incorporate data from 31 studies, 18 of which had not been previously published in relation to meat consumption and type 2 diabetes. By including this new data, the authors significantly expanded the evidence pool and minimized potential biases from excluding existing research.
Lead author Dr. Chunxiao Li, also of the MRC Epidemiology Unit, commented:
“Earlier meta-analyses combined data from existing studies on meat consumption and diabetes, but our analysis focused on individual participant data. This allowed us to align key information across studies, such as meat intake and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Utilizing harmonized data enabled us to account more effectively for various factors, such as lifestyle choices and health behaviors, that might influence the link between meat consumption and diabetes.”
Professor Nick Wareham, Director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit and co-author of the study, added:
“InterConnect allows us to examine the risk factors related to obesity and type 2 diabetes across diverse populations globally, ensuring we include groups that are often underrepresented in traditional meta-analyses.
Most studies investigating the relationship between meat and type 2 diabetes have been conducted primarily in the USA and Europe, with some focus in East Asia. This research also incorporated additional studies from the Middle East, Latin America, and South Asia, underlining the urgency for more investment in research in these areas and in Africa.
By employing harmonized data and standardized analytical methods across nearly 2 million participants, we have provided more definitive evidence of the connection between different types of meat consumption and type 2 diabetes than was previously achievable.
InterConnect was initially supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement number 602068.
