Red meat and processed meat are linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new Italian study. Alongside this, some dairy products are associated with a lower risk.
- In France in 2020, more than 3.5 million people are treated with medication for diabetes, i.e. 5.3% of the population.
- Red meat includes beef, lamb and pork, while white meat includes chicken and turkey in particular. Processed meat includes sausages and deli meats.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes (more than 90% of cases). It is characterized by insulin resistance and insulin secretion deficiency. It occurs mostly in middle-aged adults, but sometimes at a younger age, even in adolescence.
Of new research presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm show that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases by 20% when you consume 100 grams of meat per day.
Red meat and processed meat are particularly concerned: 100 g of red meat consumed per day is linked to a 22% increase in risk and 50 g/day of processed meat to a 30% increase.
White meat, on the other hand, is linked to a lower increase (4% for 50 g/day).
Better to replace red and processed meat with fish and eggs
According to the authors of this research, there are several potential reasons for this. For example, red and processed meat are high sources of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and heme iron, all known to promote chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn can reduce cell sensitivity. to insulin. Processed meats also contain nitrates, nitrites and sodium which, among other adverse effects, can damage the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. White meat, in comparison, has a lower fat content, better fatty acids and a lower amount of heme iron.
Researchers from the University of Naples Federico II carried out a review of existing meta-analyses on the links between different foods of animal origin and diabetes. This type of “review of reviews” provides one of the highest levels of evidence available in medicine.
According to their recommendations, moderate amounts of fish and eggs could be eaten in their place. They also recommend eating certain foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, olive oil and generally advise limiting the consumption of most animal products.
However, as their research shows, not all animal protein sources are nutritionally equal. Knowing how different products of animal origin are associated with T2DM would help update public recommendations, in order to help the population more easily choose the best foods to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
Dairy products appear to protect against type 2 diabetes
Dairy products, on the other hand, seem to protect against T2D or have a neutral relationship with the development of the disease. Because dairy products are rich in nutrients, vitamins and other bioactive compounds that can positively influence glucose metabolism – the body’s processing of sugar. Whey protein in milk is known to modulate the rise in blood sugar after eating. Probiotics are also known to exert beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, which explains why regular consumption of yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of developing T2DM.
According to the results of the study, milk (200 g/day) is associated with a 10% reduction in risk, whole milk (200 g/day) with a 5% reduction in risk and dairy products low in fat (200 g/day) at a 3% reduction. Yogurt (100 g/day) was associated with a 6% risk reduction. Cheese (30 g/day) and whole dairy products (200 g/day) had no effect on the risk of T2DM.
However, these results should be treated with caution, due to the small magnitude of risk reduction and low quality of evidence.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin (the hormone that helps cells in the body absorb glucose from the blood, maintaining normal blood sugar levels) or when the insulin it makes does not not working properly.
T2D is one of the leading causes of diet-related death worldwide. Overweight and obesity are the main risk factors. They increase with the consumption of red and processed meats. Common complications include heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and circulatory problems that can lead to foot amputation.
