Mediterranean Diet & Exercise Considerably Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk, UMH Research Shows
ALICANTE, 4 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) – A major national study involving researchers at Miguel Hernández de Elche University (UMH) has demonstrated that a low-calorie Mediterranean diet combined with regular physical exercise significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The research, led by Jesús Vioque López of the Nutrition Epidemiology Unit (Epinut-Rumh) with contributions from postdoctoral researchers Laura Torres Collado and Sandra González Palacios, was published in Annals of Internal Medicine.It builds upon the findings of the Predimed project and confirms the powerful benefits of integrating healthy eating and physical activity for diabetes prevention.
Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition linked to overweight and obesity, is increasingly prevalent and negatively impacts health and quality of life. This study highlights the importance of accessible and lasting preventative strategies.The six-year study, part of the Predimed-plus project, followed 4,746 participants aged 55-75 who were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome, but no existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Participants were divided into two groups: one following a Mediterranean diet without caloric restriction or exercise promotion, and another undergoing intensive intervention. The intensive intervention group combined the Mediterranean diet with a 600-calorie daily reduction, increased physical activity, and behavioral support for weight loss.
Results showed that the intensive intervention group adhered more closely to the diet,increased their physical activity levels,lost more weight,and required less medication to manage glucose levels after a diabetes diagnosis. Critically, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was 9.5% in the intensive intervention group compared to 12% in the group following the Mediterranean diet without restriction – a 31% relative reduction.
Researchers explain that the components of the Mediterranean diet work together to positively impact key processes involved in type 2 diabetes, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. These benefits are further amplified by physical activity and weight loss. The diet’s palatability, sustainability, and cultural acceptance make it a long-term, ideal strategy for preventing heart disease as well.
International recognition
The Predimed-Plus project has garnered international acclaim, being named by Nature Medicine as one of eleven studies with the potential to transform medicine in the coming years. The study involved over 200 specialists from 23 Spanish universities and research centers, including UMH Research Personnel and the Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (Isabial), which contributed significantly to the global study.
