Red meat intake during childhood can increase type 1 diabetes risk, study demonstrates

A high consumption of beef during childhood may contribute to type 1 diabetes development in genetically at-risk individuals, new evidence has revealed.

A team of researchers examined whether maternal and early-life red meat intake is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes and whether such associations are modified by genetic susceptibility.

Throughout the study, the academics analysed the health data of 15,717 children participating in the All Babies In Southeast Sweden (ABIS) cohort, followed for type 1 diabetes diagnosis via national registers until the age of 24 to 26 years.

Dietary intake was assessed through food frequency questionnaires during pregnancy and at ages one, 2.5 and five years.

The findings have shown that a higher frequency of beef intake at age five was associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes, with a similar tendency for exposure at age 2.5.

According to the analysis, the association at age five was evident among children with high-risk HLA genotypes or a family history of type 1 diabetes. 

In contrast, no statistically significant association was observed among children with low-risk HLA genotypes or without a family history of type 1 diabetes, the results have revealed.  

Meanwhile, no associations were found for higher frequency of beef consumption during pregnancy or at age one, nor for pork and sausage at any age.

The study can be accessed online here.