Attention, red meat enthusiasts: A recent study has discovered that consuming more than one serving of red meat per week is linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analyzed health data from 216,695 participants. The researchers found a correlation between greater red meat consumption and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Participants’ diets were assessed through food questionnaires completed every two to four years over a span of up to 36 years. Ultimately, over 22,000 individuals developed Type 2 diabetes.
Those who reported consuming the most red meat had a 62% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those who consumed the least. The researchers also estimated that each additional daily serving of red meat was associated with a greater risk — 46% for processed red meat and 24% for unprocessed red meat.