Are Processed Meats A Health Risk For Diabetes Patients?

Those individuals who are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes are often advised to consume a balanced diet and to cut back on sugar and refined carbs.

However, could processed meat (which naturally does not contain carbs) also up the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Researchers have successfully established a link between consumption of some types of meat (as well as meats cooked in specific ways) with an increase in the risk for type 2 diabetes.

Does Processed Meat Cause Diabetes?

In the year 2018, a study that was published in the journal Diabetes Care identified a potential risk between consumption of meat cooked using open-flame and high-temperature methods and a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

Authors of the study found that participants were more likely to develop diabetes if they consumed red meat or chicken that was cooked over an open flame or through the use of high heat.

Examples of such unhealthy cooking methods include barbecuing, roasting, grilling, and broiling. 

Researchers did not find a fixed consumption amount that reduced the overall risk: all meat (including processed meat) cooked through high heat increased an individual’s risk.

Why Is Preparation of Meat Significant?

Meat (whether processed or unprocessed) cooked in the aforementioned ways develops a high level of heterocyclic amines or HCAs. These are formed when components (such as protein and sugar) found in meat react with extremely high temperatures. Well-done meats possess the highest levels of HCAs.

Researchers have also linked these and another group of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to a higher risk of cancer in animal studies. That said, it is important to note that researchers have not yet established a link between PAHs and the development of cancer in humans.

What Types of Meat?

A review of studies conducted in 2015 on a similar issue identified a strong connection between processed red meat and diabetes. Examples of processed meat include cold cuts, sausages, and meats cured with the use of salt.

The Role Played by Saturated Fat

While researchers are still studying the link between processed meat and diabetes, a common viewpoint is that high levels of saturated fat and calories found in processed meat are eventually connected to a higher risk for diabetes.

Processed meat has much higher amounts of fats and calories in comparison with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Consuming a diet high in meat content, too, has been shown to increase the amount of visceral fat, which is commonly known as abdominal fat. Science links higher levels of abdominal fat with higher risks of developing diabetes.

Because researchers have directly linked obesity and being overweight with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, it is quite possible that the saturated fat found in processed meat (especially red meat) could lead to an increased diabetes risk.

Thus, processed meats and diabetes patients are associated. 

Can Diabetics Eat Processed Meat?

The American Diabetes Association or ADA does not make any specific recommendation to completely eliminate all forms of meat (or any type of food) for those with diabetes.

In their Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2021, the ADA has recommended consuming lean sources of protein, which could include lean meats.

In addition, a 2015 study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did not establish any connection between meat consumption and higher levels of blood sugar or insulin in those who were already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

To Sum It All Up:

Consumption of processed meat could lead to diabetes, according to several studies. Instead of the meat itself, it is the cooking method that determines how likely you are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Processed meat cooked with the use of high heat (such as barbecuing, roasting, broiling, and grilling) possess a high level of HCAs or heterocyclic amines. Some of the examples of processed meat are sausages, cold cuts, and meats cured with salt. Another way through which processed meat can lead to diabetes is through its high percentage of saturated fat, which can eventually pave the way for obesity and high abdominal fat. Diabetics need to opt for lean cuts of meat if they wish to include meat in their diet plan.

References:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/does-meat-cause-diabetes