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Aging and Chronic Disease

Category: Aging and Chronic Disease (II) (Poster Session)

Aging and Chronic Disease (II) (Poster Session)

(P17-15-26) Poultry Consumption Does Not Associate With Type 2 Diabetes Morbidity and Mortality: A Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies

Sunday, July 26, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Location: Poster Board B-15
Disclosure(s):
Samantha L. Johnson, BS - Nutrition and Dietetics: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Ashley G. Baker, BS in progress: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Despite poultry’s prominence in U.S. diets, there is a lack of research systematically examining association with T2DM-related outcomes. Addressing this scientific need, this review assesses associations between poultry consumption and T2DM morbidity and mortality in adults.

Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for prospective cohort studies, with the most recent search occurring on January 7, 2025. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two researchers and cross-checked using Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cohort Studies and interpreted according to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality standards.

Results: 1,441 articles were screened, netting 21 articles assessing T2DM morbidity and zero articles assessing T2DM mortality. Fourteen articles had comparisons between higher (~35-82 g/day) versus lower (~0-10 g/day) of poultry intake, and 7 articles had food substitution models. The evidence among studies was inconsistent. Among 15 comparisons of higher versus lower poultry intake, 8 (54%) showed no association; 5 (33%) indicated a positive association, and 2 (13%) a negative association with T2DM morbidity. Similarly, among 12 food substitution modeling assessments, 8 (67%) indicated no association between poultry intake and T2DM morbidity. Substituting red meat (all types) with poultry generally produced neutral results, with 8 (80%) of comparisons indicating no association. Two of three comparisons (67%) suggested that replacing staple plant foods (such as rice or potatoes) with poultry may increase T2DM morbidity.

Conclusions: A preponderance of evidence indicates that poultry intake does not predict T2DM incidence. Limited evidence suggests that substituting plant-based foods with poultry may increase T2DM morbidity, warranting further investigation.

Funding Sources: National Chicken Council