Processed meat intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes in younger and middle-aged women.

Young and middle-aged women who regularly eat large quantities of red and processed meats may have a high tendency of developing type 2 diabetes.

This study investigated the relationship between processed meat consumption and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in women. Using dietary questionnaires, researchers examined the red and processed meat intakes of 91,246 non-diabetic and chronic disease-free women between the ages of 24 and 46 years. The odds of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in each subject were also measured.

Researchers observed that subjects who consumed processed meat more than 5 times per week had greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes that those with processed meat intake of less than once per week. Regular consumption of diets high in bacon, sausage, beef, lamb, pork, and hot dogs was found to increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The findings of this study reveal that generous intake of red and processed meats may increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes among younger and middle-aged women.