These Chemicals May Raise Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 31 Percent: Study Finds

They found that each increase in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure range was associated with a 31% higher risk of developing T2D. Researchers also discovered potential metabolic disruptions, particularly in amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism pathways, which may help explain how PFAS contribute to impaired blood sugar regulation.

The findings underscore the importance of reducing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure to promote public health. “Findings can help us design more effective interventions for the early prevention of type 2 diabetes in the future, taking into account individuals’ exposures to environmental chemicals along with other well-known genetic, clinical, and lifestyle factors implicated in diabetes development. Mounting research suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as obesity, liver disease, and diabetes,” said Damaskini Valvi, MD, PhD, MPH, senior author of the study.

Reference: Exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in association to later occurrence of type 2 diabetes and metabolic pathway dysregulation in a multiethnic US population, Midya, Vishal et al. eBioMedicine, Volume 0, Issue 0, 105838