Replacing red meat with white meat could reduce the risk of diabetes among individuals who consume large amounts of meat

Summary:
A large prospective study based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey examined whether replacing red meat with white meat affects diabetes risk, particularly in relation to usual red meat intake. Tracking 12,143 adults between 2004 and 2015, researchers found U-shaped associations for both red and white meat consumption, with the lowest diabetes risk at about 75 grams per day for red meat and 60 grams per day for white meat. Substituting white meat for red meat was not linked to a significant change in diabetes risk among individuals consuming less than 75 grams of red meat daily. However, among those with higher red meat intake, replacing 50 grams per day of red meat with white meat was associated with a 34% reduction in diabetes risk, suggesting the greatest benefit occurs in high red meat consumers. 

Switching from red meat to white meat was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes only in individuals who consumed large amounts of red meat.

Research on whether substituting white meat for red meat can help prevent diabetes has produced inconsistent results, and much of the existing evidence comes from Western populations. A recent prospective study drawing on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey explored whether the impact of this dietary change varies according to individuals’ typical red meat intake.

The analysis included 12,143 adults followed between 2004 and 2015. Dietary intake was assessed using repeated 24-hour dietary recalls along with household food inventory records. Both red and white meat consumption showed U-shaped relationships with diabetes risk, with the lowest risk occurring at approximately 75 grams per day for red meat and 60 grams per day for white meat.

Among participants who consumed less than 75 grams of red meat per day, replacing red meat with white meat was not linked to a higher risk of diabetes. In contrast, for those with greater red meat consumption, substituting 50 grams per day of red meat with white meat was associated with a 34% reduction in diabetes risk.

These results indicate that replacing red meat with white meat may offer the most benefit for individuals who regularly consume high amounts of red meat.