New research has identified the three eating habits that contribute most to cases of type 2 diabetes. Obesity is one of the biggest driving factors for developing the blood sugar condition that impacts insulin levels.
Now, poor diet has also been linked to the rising global number of cases. Analysis by scientists at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University examined dietary patterns of 184 countries, referring to data between 1990 and 2018 - and it's bad news for lovers of bacon sarnies.
Findings published on Tuesday in journal Nature Medicine considered 11 dietary factors and three were found to be the main culprits of growing cases. These were the overconsumption of processed meat, insufficient intake of whole grains and eating too much refined wheat.
The results highlight the importance of a healthy diet for cutting the risk of developing the chronic condition. Researchers estimate that poor diet contributed seven in 10 new global cases of type 2 diabetes in 2018. The study also found that bad eating is increasing rates of the condition in men more than women, as well as younger adults and city over rural residents.
“Our study suggests poor carbohydrate quality is a leading driver of diet-attributable type 2 diabetes globally, and with important variation by nation and over time,” says senior author Dariush Mozaffarian, Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition and dean for policy at the Friedman School. “These new findings reveal critical areas for national and global focus to improve nutrition and reduce devastating burdens of diabetes.”
Factors like not eating enough vegetables, or not drinking enough water had less of an impact on type 2 diabetes cases. Processed meats range from raw foods like sausages and bacon to cured foods like salami, deli ham and turkey, and tinned corned beef.
Whole grains are typically found in foods like wholemeal breads and pastas, bulger wheat and oatcakes. Meanwhile, refined wheat is present in processed breads, cakes, pastries and white rice.
Research shows that all countries examined saw a rise in type two diabetes between 1999 and 2018. Data was sourced from information from the Global Dietary Database, as well as population demographics and how food choices impact people living with obesity and the disease.
Regions that had the highest case numbers of type 2 diabetes linked to diet were Central and Eastern Europe - particularly Poland and Russia, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, South Asia had less cases of diabetes impacted by diet but Sub-Saharan Africa has the the largest increases in type 2 diabetes due to poor diet in the 28 year period.
First study author Meghan O’Hearn said: “Left unchecked and with incidence only projected to rise, type 2 diabetes will continue to impact population health, economic productivity, health care system capacity, and drive heath inequities worldwide.
“These findings can help inform nutritional priorities for clinicians, policymakers, and private sector actors as they encourage healthier dietary choices that address this global epidemic.”
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