By David Liu, PHD

Wednesday March 14, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Eating red meat may boost risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a new study recently released in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study led by Amanda M Fretts of University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues found eating highest amounts of processed meat, canned meats in general, which is commonly referred to as spam, was associated with 63 percent increased risk of developing diabetes, compared with those who ate the lowest amounts.

It should be noted that the study participants were American Indians of whom 55 percent are expected to develop diabetes by age 55 years. This means that the findings may or may not be applicable to other populations.

Processed meat and red meat are found associated with a myriad of chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer among other things.

Participants of the study enrolled in the Strong Heart Family Study were free of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at baseline. They were followed for 5 years. 

The researchers also found the association between eating SPAM and risk of diabetes was particularly strong.  Those who ate the highest amount were twice as likely as those who ate the lowest amount to develop diabetes.

However, unprocessed red meat was not correlated with incident diabetes when those eating the highest amounts were compared with those eating the lowest amounts.

Another study has recently revealed though that even unprocessed red meat can increase risk of premature death.

The researchers concluded "The consumption of processed meat, such as spam, but not unprocessed red meat, was associated with higher risk of diabetes in AIs, a rural population at high risk of diabetes and with limited access to healthy foods."

Type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 26 million Americans.  This disease is said to have no cure, but can be manageable.  The disease can lead to severe or deadly complications.

Alternative advocates say this disease in many cases can be prevented and even cured by following a healthy lifestyle and diet that is friendly to diabetics.