Scientists Develop Mediterranean Diet to Reduce Diabetes Risk by 31%

What's Happening?

A large clinical trial known as PREDIMED-Plus, led by the University of Navarra in Spain, has demonstrated that a Mediterranean-style diet with fewer calories, combined with moderate physical activity and professional weight management guidance, can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 31%. The study involved 4,746 adults aged 55 to 75 who were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome but no prior history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Participants who followed a calorie-reduced Mediterranean diet and engaged in moderate exercise lost more weight and reduced their waistlines significantly compared to those who continued a traditional Mediterranean diet without calorie limits or exercise advice. The trial, funded by the European Research Council and other institutions, is the largest nutrition study ever conducted in Europe.

Why It's Important?

The findings of the PREDIMED-Plus trial are significant as they offer a practical and effective strategy to prevent type 2 diabetes, a global epidemic affecting over 530 million people worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 38.5 million people have diabetes, which incurs high healthcare costs. The study highlights the potential of lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to prevent new diabetes diagnoses, which could have substantial public health benefits. The Mediterranean diet, known for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation, combined with calorie control and physical activity, enhances these benefits, offering a sustainable approach to diabetes prevention.

What's Next?

The study's results suggest that implementing the Mediterranean diet with calorie reduction and exercise on a large scale could prevent thousands of new diabetes cases annually. However, replicating this strategy outside the Mediterranean context, such as in the U.S., may require overcoming structural barriers like unequal access to healthy foods and urban environment limitations. Strengthening public policies to promote nutritious and equitable environments is advocated. The PREDIMED-Plus project continues to explore similar interventions for other public health challenges, aiming to integrate these strategies into primary care as cost-efficient solutions.

Beyond the Headlines

The PREDIMED-Plus trial underscores the importance of lifestyle interventions in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, which are largely preventable. The study's approach is culturally accepted and sustainable, offering a realistic alternative to pharmaceutical interventions. It also highlights the need for public health systems to adapt and promote lifestyle changes as preventive measures, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving population health outcomes.