The link between red meat and type 1 diabetes risk stays unclear. In a study recently published in the Diabetologia, the researchers checked if maternal or early-life red meat intake associates with type 1 diabetes onset. They tested if genetic factors like HLA risk modify these ties.
The study followed 15,717 kids from the All Babies In Southeast Sweden (ABIS) cohort via national registers up to ages 24-26 years. Food frequency questionnaires captured red meat (beef, pork, sausage) during pregnancy and at ages 1, 2.5, 5 years. Cox models gave adjusted HRs for high vs low intake and per serving/week. Analyses split by HLA risk genotype and family history.
Pregnancy or age 1 red meat showed no type 1 diabetes link (HRs 0.98 per serving/week). At age 5, higher beef frequency tied to higher risk (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.58); trend at 2.5 years (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.93-1.36). Age 5 beef link strengthened in high-risk HLA (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11-1.78) or family history (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.26). No link in low-risk HLA (HR 0.34) or no family history (HR 1.20). Pork and sausage showed no ties.
In this prospective cohort, beef intake at age 5 associated with higher type 1 diabetes risk, especially in genetically susceptible kids. No broad red meat effects seen early on. Findings suggest targeted research needs.
