The Claim

Higher consumption of poultry meat at a rate of 30 g per day is associated with a 17% increased risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a 14% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged adults, with these associations partially mediated by body mass index and independent of smoking and physical activity.

Source: Meat consumption and risk of 25 common conditions: outcome-wide analyses in 475,000 men and women in the UK Biobank study

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
72score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Middle-aged adults who eat 30 grams more poultry meat per day have a 17% higher risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a 14% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, partly because of higher body mass index, even after accounting for smoking and physical activity levels.

See the scientific wording

Higher consumption of poultry meat (30 g/day) is associated with a 17% increased risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a 14% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged adults, independent of smoking and physical activity, though these associations are partially explained by body mass index.

Why this might work

Eating more poultry increases iron in the body, which generates harmful molecules that damage insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and irritate the stomach lining, leading to higher blood sugar and heartburn.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Meat consumption and risk of 25 common conditions: outcome-wide analyses in 475,000 men and women in the UK Biobank study

    People who eat more chicken each day are slightly more likely to get heartburn and type 2 diabetes, even if they’re not smoking or inactive — but part of that risk comes from being heavier. The study found exactly this.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.