Processed and Unprocessed Red Meat Consumption and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Habitual intake of processed and unprocessed red meat may induce the development of type 2 diabetes.

This meta-analysis evaluated data from previously published studies that examined the connection between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. 

Researchers noted that the higher the frequency and amounts of processed  and unprocessed red meat consumed, the greater the likelihood of having type 2 diabetes. High dietary ingestion of processed and unprocessed red meat was found to increase type 2 diabetes risk by 27% and 15% respectively. Based on the data from this study, it could be concluded that a high meat diet may contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes.