WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Red meat linked to diabetes risk

August 10, 2011

Hot dogs, hamburgers, bacon; Americans love to eat red meat.

Heather Hannig says she eats red meat three or four times a week.

"We love our red meat, it's part of our diet for sure... yeah," Ginny Vanblaricom said.

A new study from the Harvard School of Public Health finds a strong association between eating red meat and Type 2 diabetes.

"The kinds of fat that are in meat and the amount of salt that's in meat, especially processed meat, both of these seem to have an effect on metabolism that people are more prone to diabetes," said Dr. David Seres, of New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia.

The study tracked the eating habits and health of nearly a half million men and women, some for as long as 20 years. Those who regularly ate red meat, even just small portions about the size of a deck of cards, had a 19 percent increased risk for diabetes. The risk jumped to 51 percent for those who ate processed meat like bacon or sausage, even for portions half that size.

Diabetes is becoming global epidemic. Here in the U.S., it's estimated one in three Americans will have the disease by 2050. Doctors say prevention comes down to healthier choices.

"If you are wanting to avoid diabetes, especially if you have diabetes in your family, the main thing is to stay active, exercise, and in general avoiding fatty foods," Seres advised.

The study did recommend some alternatives to red meat. Proteins like low-fat dairy, nuts or whole grains significantly lowered the risk for the potentially debilitating and deadly disease.

Previous studies have linked eating red meat and processed red meat to heart disease and cancers like colon cancer.

CBS News