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Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes
Katherine Esposito1, Dario Giugliano
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
|December 21, 2013
Summary
The Mediterranean diet, rich in plant-based foods, significantly lowers type 2 diabetes risk. It also improves glycemic control, indicated by HbA1c levels, in individuals with existing diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Metabolic Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Dietary components show mixed results for type 2 diabetes prevention.
- Complete dietary patterns offer a more accurate assessment of diet's role in diabetes risk.
- The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based eating pattern linked to increased longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Mediterranean diet's impact on type 2 diabetes risk and glycemic control.
- To synthesize evidence from prospective studies and randomized controlled trials on the Mediterranean diet and diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of five large prospective studies on Mediterranean diet adherence and diabetes risk.
- Review of five randomized controlled trials comparing the Mediterranean diet with other diets for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.
Main Results:
- Highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with substantially lower type 2 diabetes risk.
- Mediterranean diet intervention led to greater HbA1c improvements (0.1%-0.6%) in type 2 diabetes patients compared to other diets.
- No trials reported worsened glycemic control with the Mediterranean diet.
Conclusions:
- The Mediterranean diet shows promise in preventing type 2 diabetes.
- A lower-carbohydrate Mediterranean-style diet may effectively reduce HbA1c in individuals with established diabetes.
- Evidence suggests potential cardiovascular benefits for high-risk patients, including those with diabetes, from the Mediterranean diet.
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