Consuming a ham sandwich daily might increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 15 percent, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge discovered that both processed and unprocessed red meats significantly elevate the risk of developing the condition over the next decade. Eating just 50 grams of processed meat daily—equivalent to two slices of ham—was linked to a 15 percent higher risk of diabetes.
Similarly, daily consumption of 100 grams of red meat, roughly a small steak, was associated with a 10 percent increase in risk. The study also examined poultry consumption but found its impact on diabetes risk to be minimal when adjusted for age, gender, and health behaviours like smoking and alcohol use. Published in ‘The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology’, this research analysed data from 31 previous studies. Professor Nita Forouhi of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, who co-authored the study, noted that it provides the most comprehensive evidence yet on this association.
Type 2 diabetes cases in Britain have doubled over the past 20 years, with 4.3 million people affected last year.
