Study Links Overconsumption of Certain Foods to Rising Type 2 Diabetes Rates
Consuming excessive amounts of refined wheat and rice, while neglecting whole grains, is contributing to the global increase in type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study analyzing data up to 2018.
The study highlights that poor carbohydrate quality is a major factor in diet-related type 2 diabetes worldwide, as stated by Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a nutrition and medicine professor at Tufts University.
Additionally, the study points out that high consumption of red and processed meats, such as bacon and sausage, is another significant contributor. These dietary habits were responsible for over 14 million new type 2 diabetes cases in 2018, as published in the journal Nature Medicine.
The research estimates that poor dietary choices were linked to 70% of type 2 diabetes cases globally in 2018. Mozaffarian emphasized the importance of these findings for improving nutrition and reducing the diabetes burden worldwide.
The research team analyzed dietary data from 1990 to 2018 across 184 countries. They found an increase of 8.6 million type 2 diabetes cases in 2018 compared to 1990 due to poor diet.
Globally, the study identified that excessive consumption of refined rice, wheat, potatoes, red meats, and sugary drinks was a more significant factor in type 2 diabetes than a lack of healthy foods. This was particularly true for men, younger adults, and urban residents.
Over 60% of global diet-related diabetes cases were linked to six harmful dietary habits, while inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and yogurt accounted for just over 39% of new cases.
Countries like Poland and Russia, where diets are heavy in potatoes and processed meats, along with nations in Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia, showed the highest diet-related diabetes rates. Similarly, Colombia, Mexico, and other Latin American and Caribbean countries had high numbers of new cases, likely due to sugary drink consumption and low whole grain intake.
The authors noted that their model provides risk estimates rather than direct causation.