Mediterranean Diet and Diabetes

Adopting the Mediterranean diet has been shown to be an important tool for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

In recent years, a number of studies in the bibliography have focused on investigating the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with several of these studies finding it beneficial.

The results of a meta-analysis of 14 prospective studies showed that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 21% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes, as compared to lower adherence. In addition, there was a clear dose-dependent correlation, meaning that higher compliance with the Mediterranean dietary model is associated with a further decrease in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.[1] These findings support the recommendation to adopt the Mediterranean diet as a key strategy for preventing diabetes.

What’s more, this dietary pattern seems to improve glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Specifically, a study that compared nine different dietary patterns (diet low in carbohydrates, low fat content, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian, moderate carbohydrate content, Palaeolithic, high protein content, low glycaemic index and control diet) to determine how effectively they improved glycaemic control. The study showed that the Mediterranean diet is the most effective dietary pattern for improving glycaemic indices such as fasting blood glucose.[2]

Eating habits are the cornerstone of better diabetic patient management, with the main focus being on maintaining blood glucose levels at normal levels, and the Mediterranean diet seems to contribute to that effect. This is particularly important, as adequate glycaemic control plays a key role in preventing the appearance of disease-related complications, and by extension, ensuring a better quality of life for those with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Its beneficial properties are quite possibly attributable to the unique combination of the foods and nutrients it offers. For example, the Mediterranean diet includes a high dietary fibre content due to its emphasis on eating minimally processed whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, which helps to prevent increased fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. Moreover, the Mediterranean diet is rich in “good” fats, including monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, which helps to improve insulin sensitivity.

Over recent decades, the benefits of sound eating habits for protecting health and preventing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus have been the focus of intense scientific interest. According to scientific data, the Mediterranean diet is an ideal dietary model that helps to both decrease the risk of developing diabetes and to improve glycaemic control in those who have already been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Zeraattalab-Motlagh S, Jayedi A, Shab-Bidar S. Mediterranean dietary pattern and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Eur J Nutr 2022 61(4):1735-1748. doi: 10.1007/s00394-021-02761-3.

[2] Schwingshackl L, Chaimani A, Hoffmann G, Schwedhelm C, Boeing H. A network meta-analysis on the comparative efficacy of different dietary approaches on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Epidemiol 2018 33(2):157-170. doi: 10.1007/s10654-017-0352-x.