Cambridge-led study of 2m people globally is most comprehensive evidence yet of red meat link to diabetes

Eating processed or red meat increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, with just two slices of ham a day raising the danger by 15%, the largest study of its kind suggests.

Research led by the University of Cambridge and involving 2 million people worldwide provides the most comprehensive evidence yet of a link between meat and the disease that presents one of the most pressing dangers to global health.

More than 400 million people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and lower limb amputation. As well as maintaining a healthy weight and moving more, evidence suggests one of the main ways to lower the risk of the disease is improving diet.