Eating red meat 'increases type two diabetes danger', analysis reveals - and just 50g of ham a day 'raises risk by 15%'

Eating red meat ‘increases type two diabetes danger', analysis reveals - and just 50g of ham a day ‘raises risk by 15%' READ MORE: The truth about five a day revealed and how to cut risk of cancer By Xantha Leatham Deputy Science Editor Published: 23:30, 20 August 2024 | Updated: 23:30, 20 August 2024 e-mail View comments Eating red and processed meat could lead to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, analysis of two million people suggests. Researchers analysed data from 31 studies across 20 countries to find out whether there was a link between eating different types of meat and the condition, which affects millions of people in the UK. Analysis revealed that regularly eating 50 grams of processed meat a day – the equivalent of two slices of ham – was linked to a 15 per cent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years.

Meanwhile eating 100g of unprocessed red meat a day – equivalent to a small steak – was linked to a 10 per cent higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating 100g poultry per day – such as a small chicken breast – was also associated with an 8 per cent higher risk of the condition. Analysis revealed that regularly eating 50 grams of processed meat a day – the equivalent of two slices of ham – was linked to a 15 per cent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years Diabetes is now a 'rapidly escalating crisis' in the UK, as the number of people with the condition is thought to have exceeded five million.