Bacon and Sausage are staple foods for breakfast, snacks and more. If it’s one of your go to choices, you might want to think about switching up your diet, as research shows eating cured meats like these could increase your risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
A new study out of France followed 100,000 people for more than 10 years. Participants in the study tracked their lifestyle habits and dietary intake. People in the study who consumed the most amount of nitrites were found to have a 27% increased chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Processed meats, such as bacon and sausage, are full of nitrites. These nitrites are used in cured meats to add flavor as well as coloring. Sodium nitrites are the additives most used to to create the taste and look of cured meats. The study found that those with the highest amount of sodium nitrite intake increase their risk of Type 2 Diabetes by 53%.
Some countries have debated banning foods with added nitrites because of the health dangers. The best advice from health experts would be to eliminate or decrease your consumption of cured meats. This could possibly reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include diet, genetics, weight and lack of exercise.
What Can You Do to Decrease Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Ten percent of people in the United States have been diagnosed with Diabetes. While some are genetically disposed, there are many lifestyle changes you can make now to decrease your risk of diabetes and its debilitating effects on your life.
- Get Moving: Exercise has been proven to have many health benefits, including managing weight, improving cardiovascular health, living longer and much more. Working out can be as simple as taking walks, swimming or hitting the gym to lift weights or take a class such as yoga, pilates or aerobics.
- Avoid or Limit Cured Meats: As the study above mentions, eating processed or cured meats can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes significantly. Try limiting or avoiding foods such as bacon and sausage and replacing them with plant based foods, that don’t have high amounts of nitrites.
- Manage Your Weight: A healthy BMI is key to preventing heart disease, diabetes and more. Consult your doctor to see if your BMI and weight is in a healthy range, if it isn’t then make a plan to lower your weight.
- Lower Sugar Intake: Sugar has been proven to cause weight gain, addiction and diabetes. Watching your sugar intake and managing your blood sugar will help you avoid these diseases.
The study mentioned above was published in the Plos Journal.
