Red and processed meat linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

Consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat is associated with a higher type 2 diabetes risk across populations, an analysis of data from 1.97 million participants, published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, has found.

About the study:

To determine the association between consumption of processed meat, unprocessed red meat and poultry and type 2 diabetes, the team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge analysed data from 31 study cohorts in 20 countries.
The analysis took into account factors such as age, gender, health-related behaviours, energy intake and body mass index.

Findings:

The researchers found that the habitual consumption of 50 grams of processed meat a day is 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 dayiss associated with a 10% higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Significance of the study:

Global meat production has increased rapidly in recent decades and meat consumption exceeds dietary guidelines in many countries.
These findings highlight the importance of reducing meat consumption for public health.

What constitutes red meat?

Red meat includes beef, lamb, mutton, pork, goat etc.
They contain more myoglobin, a protein that holds oxygen in muscles, than white meat.

Alternative to red meat:

Poultry such as chicken, turkey, or duck is often considered to be an alternative to processed meat or unprocessed red meat, but fewer studies have examined the association between poultry consumption and type 2 diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition wherein the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, such as damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin.
- This type of diabetes is typically found in children and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes: It is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.
- This type of diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet and mostly seen in adults.
- Genetics also plays an important role.