Higher risk of type 2 diabetes associated with Red and processed meat consumption: Study reveals

A study published in *The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology* shows that consuming processed and unprocessed red meat increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Analyzing data from 1.97 million participants, researchers found that eating 50 grams of processed meat daily—about two slices of ham—raises the risk by 15% over 10 years. Similarly, 100 grams of unprocessed red meat daily—equivalent to a small steak—correlates with a 10% higher risk.

Poultry like chicken or turkey has been considered a healthier alternative, but fewer studies have explored its impact on type 2 diabetes. The research, led by the University of Cambridge using the InterConnect project, found a weaker association with poultry compared to processed and unprocessed red meat.

InterConnect's global analysis, including unpublished data from 31 studies, provides a more comprehensive view of meat consumption's impact on diabetes risk, highlighting the need for further research in underrepresented regions like the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.