A diet high in meat — particularly processed meat and unprocessed red meat — could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Cambridge.

In analyzing data from nearly two million people who participated in 31 studies across 20 countries, the researchers found that eating 50 grams of processed meat per day — equivalent of two slices of ham or bacon, or one small sausage — led to a 15% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next decade, as a press release from the university noted.

Eating 100 grams of unprocessed red meat per day — roughly a small steak — led to a 10% greater risk.

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The findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Eating 100 grams of poultry initially was shown to increase type 2 diabetes risk by 8%, but that link became weaker when tested in different scenarios, which suggests that further research is needed.

“Our findings provide the largest and most comprehensive evidence to date of the association between meat consumption and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Dr Chunxiao Li, of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, in an email to Fox News Digital.

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“The link between eating processed meat and red meat and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is strong and consistent across populations in different world regions and countries.”

In their analysis, the researchers took into account a wide range of factors, such as age, gender, health-related behaviors (such as smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity), energy intake, body weight, waist circumference and family history of diabetes, as well as other foods that are consumed, Li said.

Deli meats or canned meats can easily have 500 to 1500 mg of sodium per serving, according to a registered dietitian nutritionist. (iStock)

This study follows several others that previously suggested this link.

“It was important that we extended the investigation to under-represented populations in countries outside of North America and Europe, which have previously largely dominated research,” said Li.

‘Example of observational research’

Ken D. Berry, M.D., a board-certified family physician who practices medicine in rural Tennessee, disagrees with the premise that meat consumption increases diabetes risk.

“This is an example of observational research,” Berry, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital via email.

“By its very nature, it can never show that one thing causes another thing to happen,” he went on. “All this type of research can do is report a possible association between one thing and another.”

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Sophie Lauver, a Baltimore-based registered dietitian at Aeroflow Diabetes, which helps patients with diabetes obtain the supplies they need, said that people who eat more meat may tend to eat less of other foods known to promote health and reduce disease risk, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. 

“All this type of research can do is report a possible association between one thing and another.” 

— Dr. Ken D. Berry

“Meat is also a source of saturated fat, and diets high in fat are linked with insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes,” Lauver, who also did not participate in the research, told Fox News Digital. 

There is also the likelihood that people who eat meat may be eating it in large amounts, according to Lauver.

Some dietitians recommend prioritizing plant-based foods rather than eating a diet heavy on meat and animal products. (iStock)

“With this eating pattern, meat tends to be the center of the plate rather than foods lower in calories, higher in fiber, and rich in natural plant compounds,” she said. 

“We’re also learning about the importance of a diverse microbiome in obesity and diabetes prevention, and this is achieved by eating a varied diet rich in plant foods.”

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Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, who practices as The Lupus Dietitian, warned that processed meat consumption can be inflammatory, and high intake of saturated fats can increase insulin resistance.

“Processed meats can contain a large portion of the recommended daily intake of sodium in one serving,” said Freirich, who is also unaffiliated with the research.

“For example, deli meats or canned meats can easily have 500 to 1500 mg of sodium per serving.”

Potential limitations

The data used to measure how much food people ate were mostly based on a one-time questionnaire, Li noted.

“Previous research shows that measuring food intake just once is less accurate than doing it multiple times, and this tends to weaken the observed connection to health risks,” she told Fox News Digital.

Eating 100 grams of unprocessed red meat per day — roughly a small steak — led to a 10% greater risk of type 2 diabetes, the researchers claim. (iStock)

“Therefore, our findings indicate an association between meat intake and developing type 2 diabetes, but the actual link might be stronger than what we found.”

Berry agreed that the questionnaire format is a large limitation.

“This type of research is based on multiple-choice tests given to study participants called Food Frequency Questionnaires,” he said. 

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“Participants often fill out these questions every few years, as if they would be able to remember what they ate two years ago, or even longer.”

Although the researchers considerably increased the geographical diversity of study locations compared with previous studies, Li noted that data from some regions, such as Africa, is still limited.

The researchers found that eating 50 grams of processed meat per day — which is the equivalent of one hot dog — led to a 15% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next decade. (iStock)

“This reflects an important knowledge gap and highlights the need for further research in these locations,” she said.

Freirich echoed the fact that the study is observational and looks only at associations — two factors that are increasing or decreasing in the same direction. 

“We can not definitively say that one is the cause of the other,” she told Fox News Digital.

The World Health Organization recommends consuming no more than three portions — equivalent to about 12 to 18 ounces of cooked red meat — every week.

“In an observational study, we don’t see the picture of the individual — the researchers are looking at only two factors, like type of protein consumption and type 2 diabetes risk,” Freirich went on.

“We are not understanding or assessing the rest of their diet, like how many vegetables people are consuming, or how much physical activity is happening.”

What’s the recommendation?

“Our research supports the current dietary guidelines that recommend lowering processed meat and unprocessed red meat consumption to reduce disease burdens,” Li said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously classified processed meat and red meat as carcinogenic to humans, as has the American Institute for Cancer Research (AIRC), which recommends avoiding processed meats.

The World Health Organization previously classified processed meat and red meat as carcinogenic to humans. (iStock)

“For processed meat, the WHO recommends that there is no safe limit, so it is best to avoid or minimize consumption,” Li said.

“For red meat, the WHO recommends consuming no more than three portions, equivalent to about 350 to 500 grams (about 12 to 18 ounces) of cooked weight red meat every week.”

Berry disagrees, recommending that people should continue to eat nutrient-dense, healthy red meat — “as our ancestors have done for over a million years.” 

“There is a cohort of nutrition researchers who believe in a plant-based diet and they tout research like this to promote this way of eating,” he said. 

“People who are not educated about research findings read only the headline of such articles and they stop eating a very healthy, ancestral food that is packed with nutrition.”

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Lauver, on the other hand, recommends prioritizing plant-based foods rather than eating a diet heavy on meat and animal products.

“Plant foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“We are not understanding or assessing the rest of their diet, like how many vegetables people are consuming, or how much physical activity is happening.”

— Tanya Freirich, RDN

“These whole foods tend to be lower in calories, rich in nutrients, minimally processed and high in fiber, and they foster an environment for a diverse microbiome.”

Freirich recommends that people think about their diet and lifestyle as a whole, including their own medical history.  

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“All medical decisions and choices regarding diet should be individualized and personalized,” she said. “What works for you may not be appropriate for your neighbor.”

People should also speak with their health care provider to get personalized recommendations, experts agreed.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for comment.

Most people have had brief lapses of memory — forgetting a train of thought, a driving route or maybe a word choice. 

In most cases, these episodes last only a few seconds and are nothing to worry about — but if they persist, it may warrant getting a doctor’s input.

For a clearer understanding of what defines this condition — often referred to as “brain fog” — Fox News Digital asked two medical doctors about recognizing the symptoms and when to seek medical attention.

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What is brain fog?

Brain fog represents a “set of symptoms persons can experience due to impairments in brain functions, such as thinking, memory, information processing, storage and retrieval, decision-making, paying attention and performing tasks, among others,” Irene M. Estores, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida, told Fox News Digital.

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Symptoms of the condition

The markers and indicators of brain fog can range from feeling suddenly confused about a familiar task or just feeling out of sorts mentally.  

“A person may experience difficulty staying on task, inability to focus, forgetfulness or problems finding the right words,” said Estores.

The markers and indicators of brain fog can range from feeling suddenly confused about a familiar task or just feeling out of sorts mentally. (iStock)

“They may also struggle to follow simple instructions or remember new information.”

Other symptoms may include feeling confused and dazed, or being physically present but feeling mentally absent, according to Estores.

What can cause these symptoms?

Although each person is different, there are some common causes of brain fog, medical experts say.

Chronic sleep deprivation

Just a single night of poor shuteye can have negative cognitive effects, so a compounded lack of sleep can surely be a culprit of brain fog, Estores noted.  

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“Sleep is key to the consolidation of memory, specifically long-term memory,” she said. 

“It also affects working memory, attention and decision-making, by affecting the activity of neural circuits in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and parietal lobes.”

Chronic stress and pain

People who experience chronic stressful events — such as pain, emotional and mental trauma, and social isolation — may notice cognitive effects, said Estores. 

Pain medications and co-existing conditions, such as sleep disorders and depression, can also trigger or worsen brain fog.

A compounded lack of sleep can be a culprit of brain fog, a doctor noted. “Sleep is key to the consolidation of memory, specifically long-term memory,” said Irene M. Estores, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. (iStock)

Illness

Underlying medical conditions — such as some degenerative diseases, like dementia and Parkinson’s — and metabolic conditions, like diabetes or hypertension, can cause brain fog, according to Estores.

Trauma or infection can also play a role.

What to do about brain fog

For those who are experiencing symptoms associated with brain fog, the first step is to practice good “brain health,” according to Glen R. Finney, MD, professor of neurology at the Geisinger College of Health Sciences in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Healthy cognitive habits include maintaining good sleep hygiene, getting adequate exercise, striving for a healthy diet, staying hydrated and limiting stress. 

If medical evaluation is suggested, imaging tests — like a brain CT or MR scan — can be used to diagnose any existing conditions. (iStock)

“If that isn’t enough to improve things, let your primary care provider know what you’re experiencing, and they can review your medications and examine you for signs of medical causes, like autoimmune conditions,” Finney told Fox News Digital. 

“Also, some people with persistent brain fog may benefit from cognitive rehabilitation with a speech language pathologist, occupational therapist or psychologist,” he added.

How is brain fog evaluated?

If medical evaluation is suggested, imaging tests — like a CT or MRI scan — as well as vascular studies (tests that check the blood flow in the veins and arteries) can be used to diagnose any existing conditions, Estores noted.

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Doctors may also recommend screening for co-existing diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, she added.

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While feelings of brain fog can be frustrating or sometimes scary, Finney noted that practicing good brain health and talking with your primary care provider can likely help put your mind at ease.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and former chief medical advisor to the president, was diagnosed with West Nile virus earlier this month, according to a spokesperson for Fauci.

Fauci, 83 — who was the face of the U.S. response to the COVID pandemic in 2020 — is now recovering at home after being hospitalized for six days.

He is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesperson told Fox News.

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What to know about West Nile virus

As of Aug. 20, there were 216 West Nile virus cases in the U.S. across 33 states, per the CDC.

Among those, 142 cases were neuroinvasive (severe).

Since the West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In most cases, the West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, per the CDC’s website.

The virus is not transmitted through eating or handling infected animals or birds — nor is it spread through physical contact, coughing or sneezing.

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A vast majority — around 80% — of the people who contract the virus will not experience any symptoms, the CDC states on its website.

In most cases, the West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, per the CDC’s website. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, main, E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, top right, NIH-NIAID/IMAGE POINT FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, bottom right.)

“It causes a rash and other symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes, which other viruses in its class do not exhibit,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital.

“It only affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.”

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Around one in five people will develop febrile illness, which is marked by a fever along with body aches, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting. 

These symptoms usually go away on their own, but some people may have lingering weakness and fatigue months after infection.

West Nile affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.

In rare cases — about one in every 150 infected people — the virus can lead to serious conditions affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.

Those who develop serious illness may experience headache, stiff neck, high fever, disorientation, vision loss, muscle weakness, convulsions, tremors, coma or paralysis, which occur when there is viral infection of the central nervous system.

Among people who have this invasive form of the illness, around 10% will die.

It affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal, statistics show.

Around one in five people will develop febrile illness, which is marked by a fever along with body aches, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting. (iStock)

While anyone can potentially develop severe illness, the highest-risk groups include those over 60 years of age, people who have had organ transplants and those with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease, immune disorders and other certain medical conditions.

“The virus’ effects can be quite serious in the elderly,” Siegel noted.

Diagnosis and treatment

Those who think they might have been infected with WNV should be assessed by a health care provider, the CDC states.

Diagnosis of the infection can be made based on evaluation of symptoms, recent exposure to mosquitoes and testing of blood or spinal fluid.

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Health care providers will typically recommend treating symptoms with over-the-counter pain medications and getting plenty of rest and fluids.

Those who experience severe illness may need to be hospitalized for supportive care.

Preventing the virus

There is currently no vaccine for West Nile virus.

“The virus can be contained through public health measures including more insect repellent with DEET, longer sleeves and less stagnant water in our backyards,” Siegel said.

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Trying to kill adult mosquitoes by spreading too much insecticide can be problematic, the doctor warned. 

“Animals, people with asthma and insects that would otherwise kill the mosquitoes are affected.”

When spending time outdoors, it is recommended that people apply insect repellent containing DEET or other EPA-approved ingredients. (iStock)

The most effective means of prevention is to protect against mosquito bites, the CDC confirmed.

The agency’s recommendations include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and taking steps to control exposure to mosquitoes — particularly at dawn and dusk.

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Eliminating any standing water outdoors can help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan and Danielle Wallace contributed reporting.