{"id":9111,"date":"2025-11-14T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T08:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marquis.rs\/en\/?p=9111"},"modified":"2026-04-13T18:48:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:48:06","slug":"air-pollution-and-diabetes-new-scientific-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marquis.rs\/en\/blog\/air-pollution-and-diabetes-new-scientific-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Pollution and Diabetes \u2013 New Scientific Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Air pollution and diabetes<\/strong> are closely linked, according to the latest scientific findings.
\nAir pollution has long been recognised as one of the major modern health risks.
\nIt is associated with cardiovascular, respiratory, and vascular diseases.
\nHowever, scientists now warn that its effects go much further.
\nThere is growing evidence that air pollution can disrupt metabolic processes in the body and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n

Yes, you read that right.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The onset and development of type 2 diabetes may be caused not only by poor diet, lack of physical activity, stress, and genetics, but also by polluted air<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Polluted air is increasingly recognised as a new and equally dangerous risk factor<\/strong> for the development of this disease. While earlier research primarily focused on particulate pollution (PM\u2082.\u2085 and PM\u2081\u2080), more recent studies have also included other air pollutants.<\/p>\n

The latest papers frequently link air pollution and diabetes<\/strong> to the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO\u2082) and ozone (O\u2083).<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the results are alarming. All these compounds increase the likelihood of developing the disease.<\/p>\n

How Air Pollution Contributes to the Development of Diabetes<\/h2>\n

Type 2 diabetes is now one of the most widespread diseases in the world. According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, it occurs when the body either fails to use insulin properly or does not produce enough of it. Traditionally, causes have been attributed to genetics, obesity, and lifestyle.<\/p>\n

However, an increasing number of studies show that air pollution<\/strong> plays an important, yet previously underestimated, role. Inhaling polluted air can cause chronic inflammation<\/strong> and oxidative stress<\/strong>. This disrupts insulin function and interferes with glucose balance in the blood.<\/p>\n

As a result, there is mounting evidence that breathing polluted air can alter metabolic processes<\/strong> in the body. Consequently, the risk of developing various diseases \u2013 including type 2 diabetes<\/strong> \u2013 increases.<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO: How Air Pollution Contributes to the Formation of Cataracts<\/a>
\nSEE ALSO: Air Pollution and Cancer \u2013 A New Dimension of Risk<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Air Pollution and Diabetes \u2013 Can the Impact Be Measured?<\/h2>\n

“Exposure to PM\u2082.\u2085 particles is associated with a 10% increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes for every 10 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 increase in concentration,” stated Professor Francesco Forastiere<\/strong> of Imperial College London during the WHO webinar ‘Toxic Air is Fueling NCDs’<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

These claims are confirmed by the latest meta-analyses from 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The results show that the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes increases by approximately:<\/p>\n