Research links red meat, processed meat, and possibly poultry to a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and to increased mortality for those who already have it.
The holiday season is upon us, and for many people, meat is the centerpiece of celebratory meals. But eating less of it may do more when it comes to reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and lowering the mortality risk for those who already have the disease. "High red meat intake has been associated with many health risks, including T2D, coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, and overall mortality," Walter C. Willett, MD, DrPH, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston, told Medscape Medical News. "The high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol with minimal amounts of polyunsaturated fat very likely contribute to risk, but high amounts of heme iron, precursors of trimethylamine N-oxide, and other factors may also contribute to adverse outcomes." "Processed red meat can add further to some of these risks," said Willett, a coauthor of a recent federated meta-analysis that included close to two million people from 20 countries. In particular, researchers found that the consumption of red meat and processed meat was associated with increased risks for T2D development and mortality — and even poultry was implicated as a possible risk booster. Some researchers question the evidence linking red and processed meat to multiple health conditions. But, said Willet, "the combination of randomized trials with risk factors as outcomes and long epidemiologic studies support an adverse causal effect of red meat on cardiometabolic disease, especially when compared with healthy plant sources of protein such as nuts, legumes, and soy foods." How Much Is Too Much? If red meat and processed meat do raise the risk for diabetes, is it necessary to abstain from these foods? Probably not; although recommended quantities may differ in different studies, patients should be aware of the potential consequences of eating them. "In our study, regular consumption of each additional 50 grams of processed meat a day…