New Culprit Discovered in Link Between Processed Foods and Type 2 Diabetes
Need another reason to cut back on red and processed meats? A new study suggests that a common additive called nitrites in these foods is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.For the study, researchers examined the eating habits of more than 104,000 adults who were 43 years old on average and had no history of type 2 diabetes. On the basis of detailed dietary records, scientists calculated how much exposure people had to nitrates and nitrites, chemicals naturally found in whole foods like green leafy vegetables and in additives used to improve the flavor and shelf life of processed meats and other mass-produced foods.Participants were followed for about seven years, and nearly 1,000 of them developed type 2 diabetes.People with the most nitrites in their diets from…