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European Journal of Nutrition

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01-06-2019 | Review

Dietary protein intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Authors: Long-Gang Zhao, Qing-Li Zhang, Xiao-Li Liu, Hua Wu, Jia-Li Zheng, Yong-Bing Xiang

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Purpose

The association between dietary protein intake and type 2 diabetes risk has been inconsistent in the previous epidemiological studies. We aimed to quantitatively assess whether dietary total, animal, and plant protein would be associated with type 2 diabetes risk.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify related articles by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library through 20th March 2018. Generalized least squares for trend estimation and restricted cubic spline regression model were applied in the dose–response analysis.

Results

Eight publications with ten prospective cohorts of 34,221 type 2 diabetes cases were included. After adjustment of potential confounders, a 5% of energy increment from dietary total and animal protein intake was related to a 9% (1.04, 1.13; I² = 42.0%) and 12% (95% CI 1.08, 1.17; I² = 14.0%) higher risk of type 2 diabetes respectively. However, for plant protein, a significant U-shaped curve was observed with the most risk reduction at intake of about 6% of energy intake from plant protein intake (P_nonlinearity = 0.001). The results were robust in sensitivity analysis and no publication bias was detected.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the consumption of protein particularly animal protein may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

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Title: Dietary protein intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Long-Gang Zhao
Qing-Li Zhang
Xiao-Li Liu
Hua Wu
Jia-Li Zheng
Yong-Bing Xiang
Publication date: 01-06-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1737-7

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