Daily Consumption of Processed Meat Associated with Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Study

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Consuming just 50 grams of processed meat per day — roughly the equivalent of two slices of ham — seems to be associated with a 15 per cent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within the next decade, according to a new study.

The research, published on Tuesday in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, indicates that eating 100 grams of unprocessed meat daily, equivalent to a small steak, was linked to a 10 per cent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

While this correlation does not establish causation, it contributes to a growing body of evidence highlighting concerns about the health impacts of processed meats.

“The findings for processed meat and many health conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have been consistent and strong,” said senior author Nita Forouhi, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

“Our research adds meaningfully to the existing evidence by including a very large population of nearly two million participants from 31 studies in 20 countries, as well as incorporating up to 18 studies that had not previously reported their findings,” she told Global News in an email on Wednesday.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels, according to Diabetes Canada. It typically develops later in life and is often associated with lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

In contrast, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little to no insulin production. Type 1 usually occurs in childhood and requires lifelong insulin therapy, whereas Type 2 can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

Type 2 diabetes affects over 500 million people globally and is projected to impact one billion by 2050, according to the study.

In Canada, Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases, with more than 60,000 new cases reported annually, according to Health Canada. It is a lifelong condition, and prolonged high blood glucose levels can lead to serious complications such as blindness, heart disease, nerve damage, and stroke.