Health
Meat consumption linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk in observational study
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.
ADULTS WITH DIABETES REAP HEART-HEALTH BENEFITS FROM BAKED POTATOES, NEW RESEARCH REVEALS
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.
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. (iStock)
“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.
POP SINGER LANCE BASS HAS TYPE 1.5 DIABETES, HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DISEASE
“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.”
POP SINGER LANCE BASS HAS TYPE 1.5 DIABETES, HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DISEASE
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.”
“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.”
DIABETES PATIENTS USING OZEMPIC, OTHER TREATMENTS INSTEAD OF INSULIN HAVE LOWER CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS
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.
ASK A DOCTOR: ‘WHY DO I KEEP EATING FOODS THAT I KNOW ARE BAD FOR ME?’
“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.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
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.”
“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.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“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.
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana’s link to psychosis.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The New York State Department of Health reported a record surge in influenza activity, with 71,123 positive flu cases recorded statewide during the week ending December 20.
Health officials said the figure represents the highest number of flu cases ever reported in a single week since influenza became a reportable disease in New York in 2004.
State health data show the weekly total reflects a 38% increase from the previous reporting period, signaling a rapidly intensifying flu season.
There have been 189,312 reported positive flu cases so far this season, while influenza-related hospitalizations rose 63% in the most recent week.
FLU BY STATE: WHERE THIS SEASON’S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANT IS SPREADING THE MOST
New York reported the highest weekly total of cases ever recorded since influenza became reportable in 2004. (iStock)
“We are seeing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week in New York state,” Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release.
There have been 189,312 reported flu cases so far this season, with influenza-related hospitalizations increasing 63% in the most recent week. (iStock)
Earlier this month, the department declared influenza prevalent statewide, a designation that requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings.
SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES IN SOUTHERN STATE PROMPTS HEALTH ALERTS
Health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from influenza.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
New Yorkers who have not yet received a seasonal flu shot are still encouraged to do so, with experts saying vaccination can offer protection even later in the season.
Health officials continue to urge New Yorkers to take preventive steps, including vaccination and staying home when sick, to limit further spread. (iStock)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
To help limit further spread, the department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches — to stay home. State health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
For those who become ill, officials say antiviral medications are available and are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Health officials also added that people at higher risk for complications should contact a health care provider promptly for evaluation and possible treatment.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The department noted that flu activity typically peaks in January, meaning case counts could continue to climb in the weeks ahead.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If the stress of the holidays wreaked havoc on your gut, you’re not alone — 76% of Americans experience gastrointestinal distress during the holiday season, according to a recent national survey from Oshi Health and YouGov.
Digestive problems can be triggered not only by holiday overeating, but also by stress. Financial worries, disrupted routines, fatigue and interpersonal dynamics rank as some of the top causes.
“I see an uptick in psychiatry-related GI issues during the holiday season,” Dr. Claire Brandon, a gastrointestinal psychiatrist based in New York City, told Fox News Digital. “When you are undergoing stress, your body produces more corticotropin-releasing hormones, which sets off a cascade of the inflammatory system.”
GUT IMBALANCE MAY BE DRIVING AMERICA’S FOOD ALLERGY EPIDEMIC, EXPERTS WARN
Stress hormones can act directly on the gut, leading to more digestive distress and pushing the body out of “rest-and-digest mode,” Brandon said.
“Stress activates the sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze — nervous system, which slows digestion,” added Dr. David Clarke, an Oregon-based gastroenterologist and president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “That can lead to bloating, cramps, nausea and sometimes abdominal pain.”
Stress often plays a bigger role in digestive issues than overeating alone, experts say. (iStock)
The good news, doctors say, is that a few simple, realistic steps can help reset the digestive system after the holidays.
No. 1: Reset your sleep
Sleep plays a major role in gut health. Research shows that insufficient or disrupted sleep can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting metabolic and immune factors that influence overall health.
NOT ALL FIBER IS CREATED EQUAL — DOCTORS SHARE WHICH KINDS TRULY SUPPORT LONGEVITY
“When I travel and get derailed, my main focus is to reset my sleep,” Brandon said. She recommends reestablishing wind-down routines like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
No. 2: Eat balanced, fiber-rich meals
Fiber helps keep digestion moving and supports healthy gut bacteria, which can aid post-holiday recovery, experts say.
“The usual principles for supporting digestion apply here,” said Clarke. “Consuming a balanced diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes; avoiding highly processed foods; and moderating alcohol will keep your gut microbiome happy.”
Digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often spike during the holidays due to stress, travel and disrupted routines. (iStock)
No. 3: Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will also aid digestion, Clarke said, noting that light-colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Traveling can be particularly tough on the gut, experts say, especially during flights where low cabin humidity causes the body to pull water from the bowels, leading to constipation.
Drinking water before, during, and after flights — and limiting alcohol and caffeine — can help counteract dehydration-related digestive slowdowns. Experts also recommend sipping water consistently throughout the day.
No. 4: Resume regular movement
Both doctors agreed that exercise supports digestion and stress regulation, which are both key to gut recovery.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Going on walks can be enough to help with this, but if you have space to do more, including some gentle stretching, that can be a huge help,” Brandon advised.
No. 5: Reduce stress gradually
Stress management plays a critical role in gut health, and experts say that small, consistent habits can help ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Brandon recommends calming the nervous system with breathing or grounding exercises and slowing down at meals.
Light movement can help support digestion and regulate stress, experts say. (iStock)
“If you’re constantly running on fumes, on a layover in the airport, eating high sugar and doing things off your routine, expect a few disruptions with your gut,” she said. “Reframe it as something that you can reset when you get home.”
No. 6: Skip cleanses and detoxes
Clarke says that detoxes and cleanses are not necessary and can actually be harmful. Instead, he recommends sticking to the basics — including hydration, balanced meals, regular sleep and movement.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Doctors say the gut is designed to recover on its own in response to consistently healthy practices rather than extreme resets.
Experts recommend returning to balanced, fiber-rich meals instead of intense cleanses. (iStock)
While short-lived symptoms can improve within hours and are usually temporary, experts say lingering or worsening issues shouldn’t be ignored.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“If you are back home and struggling to feel your usual baseline while back on your routine, it’s probably worth checking in with your physician,” Brandon advised.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained over 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body. a split researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES COULD SLASH HEART ATTACK RISK FOR MILLIONS, SCIENTISTS REPORT
“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, the new study found. (iStock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively,” Coppi added.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, the researchers examined the animals’ heart control nerves and found left–right differences that did not appear in inactive rats, according to the research published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
The findings could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (iStock)
The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists caution more studies are needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans. (iStock)
The findings are early stage and based on animal research, however. So, they do not prove the same effects in people. More studies are needed before they could affect patient care.
Researchers say future studies will explore whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Researchers discovered distinct left-right changes in heart-control nerves after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (iStock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways scientists are beginning to understand better.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
For those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
Apex predator threatening Northwest salmon sparks rare bipartisan push to ‘kill more’
McDonald’s locks doors to keep out individuals who present ‘a risk’ in crime-ridden Minneapolis area
Missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos believed to be ‘in imminent danger,’ Texas sheriff says
Murder in small-town America: The crimes that tore quiet communities apart in 2025
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
For those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
US visa ban targets ex-Commissioner Breton over alleged censorship
‘Bomb cyclone’ forecasted to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and dangerous travel
The biggest losers of 2025: Who fell flat as the year closed
-
Entertainment4 days agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Connecticut4 days agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
Entertainment5 days agoPat Finn, comedy actor known for roles in ‘The Middle’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 60
-
Milwaukee, WI5 days ago16 music and theater performances to see in Milwaukee in January 2026
-
World1 week agoPutin says Russia won’t launch new attacks on other countries ‘if you treat us with respect’
-
Indianapolis, IN2 days agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Southeast3 days agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
World3 days agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast