Red meat & diabetes linked

Better Nutrition, Dec, 2004

Scientists have found a positive association between the amount of red meat consumed and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. And if you think that's easily explained away by the higher fat intake, forget it.

In the study, researchers made statistical adjustments to rule out the effects of certain factors--age, body mass index, total energy intake, exercise, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, dietary fiber, magnesium, glycemic load, total dietary fat and family history of diabetes.

In the final analysis, a greater quantity of red meat--and especially of processed meat--in the diet was still significantly related to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The almost-9-year study was published in the September 2004 issue of Diabetes Care, and it involved 37, 309 women over age 45.