Sugar molecule in red meat linked to higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Preliminary results of an observational study presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy, Sept. 28–Oct. 2, show that high consumption of a sugar called dietary N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), which is common in red meat, is associated with a 63% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The association held after researchers accounted for other T2D risk factors, including physical activity, overall diet, smoking status and other health conditions.

≈