Type 2 diabetes is spreading like an epidemic worldwide and now a major cause behind it has been identified.
Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition reported that high consumption of red meat significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The study examined data from more than 34,000 individuals collected between 2003 and 2016. The data analyzed the relationship between dietary habits and the risk of diabetes.
Researchers found that individuals who consume higher amounts of processed or unprocessed red meat are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
According to the study, high consumption of this meat, beef or mutton, can increase the risk of diabetes by up to 49 percent.
The researchers also found that replacing red meat with lentils, beans, nuts, poultry, milk or dairy products, yogurt and eggs can reduce the risk of diabetes by 9 to 14 percent.
They acknowledged that the findings are somewhat limited because the study relied on self reported data from participants. It also did not explain exactly why high consumption of red meat increases the risk of diabetes.
However, researchers believe that the fat present in red meat may increase insulin resistance over time. Red meat also contains high levels of iron, which can increase oxidative stress and damage insulin producing cells.
They said that dishes made from red meat often contain high amounts of salt and nitrates, both of which contribute to reduced insulin sensitivity.
It is worth noting that over the past 30 years the number of people living with diabetes worldwide has doubled to more than 800 million, and Pakistan is the fourth most affected country by this disease.
A study published earlier in The Lancet reported that between 1990 and 2022 the prevalence of diabetes among adults worldwide increased from 7 percent to 14 percent, with the largest rise seen in low and middle income countries.
