Doctors debunk warning eating two slices of common food daily 'increases diabetes risk by 15 per cent'

A hefty study has found munching on just two slices of ham daily might hike your risk of type 2 diabetes over the next ten years by a startling 15%, while chowing down on 100 grams of unprocessed red meat roughly a petite steakups that risk by 10%, however doctors are now throwing wrenches into the theory.

The research, involving nearly two million people and steered by a team at the University of Cambridge, pins the accountability squarely on processed and unprocessed red meat consumption . Experts admitted the research was well done and yielded fascinating results, but it shouldn't be taken too seriously.

Completely removing meat from anyone's diet is radical and shouldn't be done based off findings as nuanced as these. The differing opinions seemed to be a way to mitigate a mass panic among people who regularly consume meat.

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Pouring over data from almost two million individuals from 31 separate cohorts in 20 countries, the researchers have dotted the i's and crossed the t's on the grim connection between both kinds of meat and an escalated future risk of type 2 diabetes. Their work, showcased in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, solidifies advice to cut back on meat intake.

Lead heavyweight Professor Nita Forouhi from Cambridge's MRC Epidemiology Unit dropped the bombshell: "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."

Dr. Duane Mellor of the British Dietetic Association noted a huge limitation of the journal's research, stating the study can't undoubtedly prove meat causes diabetes because there are other risk factors like smoking, alcohol and excessive body weight. "The authors did try to control for other risk factors associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including having a higher body weight, smoking, alcohol, low vegetable intake."

The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal also excluded extenuating circumstances in terms of family history, such as insulin resistance or weight circumference.

The research states if you're one of those feasting on over 90g of any red meats- beef, pork, the works- or their processed pals, including bacon and sausages, the NHS nudges you to dial it down to 70g max. Stats for this staggering study hail from InterConnect, a European Union-backed mission bent on decoding diabetes and obesity mysteries across various populations.

Researchers have found that consuming 50 grams of processed meat daily, equivalent to two slices of ham, is linked with a 15% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next decade. However, the connection between poultry consumption, such as chicken, turkey, and duck, and type 2 diabetes remains unclear and requires further study, reports Gloucestershire Live .

The team utilized InterConnect data, which allowed them to account for various factors like lifestyle or health behaviors that could influence the relationship between meat consumption and diabetes. This data also included individuals typically underrepresented in scientific research, with cohorts from the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and the US.

Professor Nick Wareham, director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit and a senior author on the paper, stated that the data "allowed us to provide more concrete evidence of the link between consumption of different types of meat and type 2 diabetes than was previously possible". Experts commenting on the study noted that while the research doesn't explain how or why red and processed meat intake increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, the findings are consistent with current healthy eating recommendations.

Dr. Duane Mellor, a dietitian and representative for the British Dietetic Association, commented on the meat moderation study despite not being involved: "The overall message to moderate meat intake is in line with national healthy eating guidelines and advice to reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which include eating a diet which is based on vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, peas and lentils along with some wholegrain and moderate amounts of meat and dairy with limited amounts of added fat, salt and sugar."

He added that a balanced approach involving regular exercise is key: "This should be accompanied by regular physical activity to minimise risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If people are considering reducing their meat intake, it is important that the nutrients found in meat are obtained from other foods, these include iron, vitamin B12 and protein. It is important when considering reducing or taking a type of food out of the diet, that any replacement foods provide the same nutrients to maintain a healthy diet overall."