Eating a ham sandwich every day can increase your chance of getting this disease

Eating just two slices of ham a day may increase the risk of developing 2 diabetes within the next decade, a large study has revealed.

Data from nearly two million people, which was analysed by a team led by the University of Cambridge, found that two slices of ham could heighten the chances of developing the disease over ten years by 15 per cent.

The study also found that consuming 100 grams of unprocessed red meat a day – equivalent to a small steak – was associated with a 10 per cent higher risk of developing the condition.

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Researchers said that the findings, published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, back the recommendations to cut down meat intake.

Senior author Professor Nita Forouhi, of the University of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, said: “Our research provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of an association between eating processed meat and unprocessed red meat and a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes.

“It supports recommendations to limit the consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat to reduce type 2 diabetes cases in the population.”

The NHS advises those eating more than 90g of red meat such as beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison and goat, or processed meat such as sausages, bacon, ham, salami and corned beef a day to cut down to 70g or less.

For the study, the researchers analysed data from 31 study cohorts involving 1.97 million people across 20 countries through InterConnect, a project funded by the European Union to understand more about diabetes and obesity.

They found 50 grams of processed meat a day –