If you're an American Indian adult, eating more processed meat like bacon or hot dogs might increase your chances of getting type 2 diabetes over time—especially if you eat a lot compared to others.

Eating unprocessed red meat like beef or pork doesn’t seem to raise the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in American Indian adults — people who eat the most don’t have a higher chance than those who eat the least.

Eating a lot of lunch meat might increase the chance of getting type 2 diabetes in American Indian adults — especially if you eat the most compared to others — but hot dogs, sausage, and other processed meats don’t seem to have the same effect.

Eating processed meat is linked to a higher chance of getting type 2 diabetes in American Indian adults, and while being overweight plays a role, there's still a connection even after accounting for weight — meaning other factors are also involved.

Eating processed meats like bacon and hot dogs might raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes more than eating plain red meat, probably because they have more salt and chemicals added to preserve them.

Eating processed meats like bacon and hot dogs might increase your chances of getting heart disease or diabetes compared to eating plain red meat, probably because they have more salt and chemicals added to them.