Chemicals in bacon ‘may increase risk of type 2 diabetes’
Chemicals used as a preservative in bacon and ham may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than a quarter, a study has found.
Nitrites are found naturally in food as they exist in water and soil but they are also used to increase the shelf-life of some meat products, with experts divided on their health impact.
Data from more than 100,000 people enrolled in a French study found those in the highest exposure group for nitrite consumption were 27 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
“In this study among individuals from the NutriNet-Sante cohort, the highest nitrite exposure from food additives – 0.2 mg/day – corresponds to approximately one slice of ham,” Dr Bernard Srour, of Sorbonne Paris Nord University and a study author, told The Telegraph.
“If we consider nitrites irrespective of their source, a diet rich in nitrites contains high levels of vegetables and processed meats.
“This, however, shouldn’t change the fact that consuming high levels of vegetables could be beneficial against type 2 diabetes, as vegetables are sources of other beneficial components and contribute to the reduction of chronic disease risk. On the other hand, the consumption of processed meats should be limited.”
‘Nitrites and nitrates are fascinating compounds’
Dr Srour and Dr Mathilde Touvier, the study co-author, said the research “is the first large-scale cohort study to suggest a direct association between additives-originated nitrites and type 2 diabetes risk”.
However, independent experts are sceptical about the findings and say there are flaws with how the data was gathered, quantified and applied.
“In my opinion, the data reported in this paper is unreliable,” said Prof Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London.
Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, said: “Nitrites and nitrates are fascinating compounds that are a great example of the big problem in nutrition research – some people believe that they are healthy and improve heart health, and nitrate-rich foods such as beetroot are promoted for that, and some people believe that they increase the risk of cancer and many other diseases.
“Both are supported by evidence, and it is very difficult for scientists and the consumer to navigate the facts. This is exacerbated by political and commercial interests to ban nitrite and nitrate and promote nitrate-free alternatives.
“But this study does not support that additives are responsible for an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.”
