A study reveals that eating two slices of ham a day can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 15%. (Image credit: iStock)
What is your breakfast choice most days? Perhaps a bowl of oatmeal or a ham sandwich, both easy and convenient. However, if you prefer to consume ham on a daily basis, then there is bad news for you. A new study has found that eating processed meat may increase the risk of heart disease. type 2 diabetes by 15%, which includes up to two slices of ham a day. The research was led by the University of Cambridge and involved two million people from around the world.
It provided the most comprehensive evidence of a link between meat and the disease that presents one of the most pressing dangers.
Professor Nita Forouhi, from the University of Cambridge and lead author of the study, told the media: “Our research provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of an association between consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat and an increased future risk of type 2 diabetes. It supports recommendations to limit consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat to reduce cases of type 2 diabetes in the population.”
According to reports, more than 400 million people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is also the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and much more.
Researchers said cutting back on red meat and adopting a plant-rich diet may help reduce the risk of diabetes.
As part of the study, researchers found that a regular daily consumption of 50g of processed meat – the equivalent of two slices of ham – was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years. In other words, consuming 100g of unprocessed red meat a day – the equivalent of a small steak – was associated with a 10% increased risk of developing the disease.
Habitual consumption of 100 g of poultry meat per day was associated with an 8% higher risk.
Speaking to the media, Professor Forouhi said: “While our findings provide more comprehensive evidence on the association between poultry consumption and type 2 diabetes than was previously available, the link remains uncertain and needs to be investigated further.”
In the UK, the NHS has recommended that those who consume more than 90g of red meat (beef, lamb, pork) or processed meat (sausages, salami, bacon, ham) a day reduce their intake to 70g or less.
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