Something unexpected was revealed by a recent data-mining survey by researchers at Cambridge University (UK). Intensive number crunching uncovered a previously unknown connection between red meat, and risk of type 2 diabetes…
A classic Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich contains at least 8 oz. / 230 g
of ultra-processed red meat. That’s almost 5 times the 50 g serving
associated with the alarming results in the Cambridge study…
The Cambridge team undertook a huge data-mining project, in an attempt to determine what, if any connection there was between consumption of processed meat, unprocessed red meat and poultry and type 2 diabetes.
What they did
According to an abstract of the study report: “The team […] used the global InterConnect project to analyse data from 31 study [groups] in 20 countries. Their extensive analysis took into account factors such as age, gender, health-related behaviours, energy intake and body mass index.”
What they found
The researchers found that the habitual consumption of 50 grams of processed meat a day – equi-valent to 2 slices of ham – is associated with a 15 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years.
Unprocessed red meat presented a somewhat lower, but still significant risk. The consumption of 100 grams of unprocessed red meat a day – equivalent to a small steak – was associated with a 10 per-cent higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Habitual consumption of 100 grams of poultry a day was associated with an 8 percent higher type 2 diabetes risk.
The takeaway
Professor Nita Forouhi at Cambridge, and a senior author on the paper, said: “Our research provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of an association between eating processed meat and unprocessed red meat and a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes. It supports recommendations to limit the consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat to reduce type 2 diabetes cases in the population.
My take
We’ve been warned about the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes for years. But the connection with red and processed meats is something new – out of left field. It’s something we all need to be aware of when making our daily food choices.
But the good news – as such – is that the amount of red and processed we consume is a defining factor. We can still, apparently, enjoy some without worrying too much. Alas, the amounts that pro-duced the results reported in the data-mining study are pretty small.
I think it’s fair to say most folks usually eat larger portions of red meats than the 50 grams cited in the survey. For example, just one McDonald’s Quarter Pounder contains about 115 g of processed red meat. And a Big Mac delivers 90 grams.
I also can’t help wondering what additional shocking revelations may lie in wait for us, among the fruits of ‘further investigations’…
~ Maggie J.