Diabetes
The lowest type 2 diabetes risk — and a clear link with meat
DoseMore meat, higher type 2 diabetes risk
In long-term studies, vegans show the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes — below vegetarians and below meat-eaters. Meta-analyses find that as total meat, red meat, and processed meat go up, type 2 diabetes risk goes up with them, including for unprocessed red meat. That dose pattern is one of the stronger clues science uses for cause and effect. Diabetes risk drops when we choose not to harm or kill animals.
What the evidence says
The main points first. Every claim is tied to a source below.
Vegans show the lowest type 2 diabetes risk
In Adventist Health Study-2 and other vegetarian-pattern research, vegans have the lowest rates of type 2 diabetes — below vegetarians and below meat-eaters. Same kind of population, different plates.
Meat and type 2 diabetes: more meat, higher risk
Meta-analyses find that as total meat, red meat, and processed meat go up, type 2 diabetes risk goes up with them. More meat, higher risk — including unprocessed red meat. That dose pattern is one of the stronger clues science uses for cause and effect.
Sources
Papers and datasets. Caveats stay on the card — small samples and single animals included on purpose.
PMC · Observational
Vegetarian dietary patterns and diabetes
Vegan diets associated with the lowest incidence of type 2 diabetes.
PubMed · Observational
Plant-based diets and type 2 diabetes risk
Lowest diabetes risk among vegan participants.
PubMed · Meta-analysis
Meat and fish intake and type 2 diabetes — dose-response
Linear dose-response between total meat, red meat, and processed meat and type 2 diabetes risk.
American Journal of Epidemiology · Observational
Vegetarian diets and incidence of diabetes (AHS-2)
Among Adventists, vegans had the lowest diabetes risk of all diet groups.
PMC · Review
Meat consumption as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes
Meat consumption is consistently associated with diabetes risk.
PubMed · Meta-analysis
Red meat, CVD, and diabetes — systematic review
Unprocessed and processed red meat both associate with higher CVD and diabetes risk.
PMC · Observational
Type 1 diabetes risk and diet
Plant-based patterns associated with lower type 1 diabetes risk in available analyses.