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Hot Dogs, Cold Cuts Significantly Increase Diabetes Risk

Just in time to spoil your summer cookouts: Processed red meats such as hot dogs and cold cuts, the same things that make you fat and give you heart disease, may also increase your risk of diabetes.

And while that might not sound too surprising — something you might file in the "oh well, everything I like is bad for me" category — the degree to which processed meats are associated with diabetes is shockingly high, according to researchers at Harvard School of Public Health.

Just a daily serving of 50 grams — that's about two slices of cold cuts or one hot dog — is associated with more than a 50-percent increase in the risk of developing diabetes .

This analysis, appearing Aug. 10 online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, is based on data from three major studies encompassing more than 200,000 adults, some of whom have been followed for nearly 30 years.

And, oh yeah, unprocessed red meats such as ground beef and pork also raise your diabetes risk, the researchers said, but not to the same degree. [ 7 Foods Your Heart Will Hate ]

The one bit of good news here is that meat eaters can switch to many other foods that lower the risk of diabetes, the researcher found.

Black day for red meat

Diabetes, hardly known a century ago, is now pandemic and affects more than 10 percent of U.S. adults, or about 25 million people. Diabetes is closely associated with obesity, and the incidence of both of these chronic diseases has risen in near parallel in recent years.

Doctors have identified many dietary factors associated with diabetes . These include simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, and sweetened drinks and foods. Red meat's contribution to diabetes has been debated for several decades.

The new Harvard study, led by An Pan, a Harvard research fellow, focused particularly on red meat. Pan's group confirmed numerous earlier studies showing a link between processed red meats and diabetes. The reason might be the nitrites and nitrates often used to preserve this meat. 

These chemicals convert to nitrosamines in the stomach, which are toxic to pancreatic cells and increase the risk of diabetes in animals, the researchers said.

This 50-percent increase in diabetes risk applies to anyone, either slim or fat, warned Pan. Being overweight or not exercising incurs yet additional risks.

Toss another shrimp, or almond, on the barbie

The Harvard researchers also found that a daily 100-gram serving of unprocessed red meat, about the size of a deck of cards, was associated with a 19-percent increased risk of diabetes. The role of unprocessed red meat has not been so apparent in earlier studies.

65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists : ( ( ( Ortho ...

The following shoulder surgeons and specialists were selected for this list based on the awards they have received from major organizations in the field, leadership in those organizations, work on professional publications and positions of service held at hospitals and practices. The surgeons are listed in alphabetical order by last name. All physicians placed on this list have undergone substantial review from our editorial staff. Physicians do not pay and cannot pay to be selected as an outstanding leader. This list is not an endorsement of any individual’s or organization’s clinical abilities. Jeff Abrams, MD (Princeton Orthopaedic Association, Princeton, N.J.).  Dr. Abrams was one of the first physicians to perform rotator cuff repairs and stabilization surgery using arthroscopy. He currently serves as a consultant to the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball. He earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, N.Y., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Abrams’ additional training includes a sports medicine fellowship in Aspen, Colo., and at the Houghston Sports Medicine Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. In addition to working with patients, Dr. Abrams’ career includes lecturing internationally and authoring several articles for publication. Dr. Abrams is a member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Answorth Allen, MD (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City).  Dr. Allen is a team physician for the New York Knicks and former team physician for the New York Mets. He earned his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and completed his residency at The New York Orthopaedic Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He completed a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. His expertise is in arthroscopy, shoulder surgery and treating sports injuries. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Allen is involved in research projects and has published articles in professional journals such as  Shoulder Arthroplasty . Vivek Agrawal, MD (The Shoulder Center, Carmel, Ind.).  Dr. Agrawal is director of The Shoulder Center in Carmel, Ind., which specializes in providing advanced care for shoulder problems. Dr. Agrawal earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a shoulder and knee fellowship with Eugene Wolf, MD, in San Francisco. Dr. Agrawal has expertise in reverse shoulder replacement and uses arthroscopic techniques to repair complex shoulder tears. He is a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.