Specific Diet And Exercise Reduces Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study

A recent study has found that a Mediterranean diet combined with exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in older adults. Conducted in Spain, the study involved 6,874 participants aged 55 to 75, all of whom were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome but were free of diabetes at the start. Participants following a calorie-reduced Mediterranean diet and engaging in moderate exercise had a 31% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over six years compared to those who only followed the diet.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that participants in the intervention group also experienced modest weight loss and reduced belly fat, contributing to the decreased diabetes risk.

Dr. Frank Hu, a co-author of the study and professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, highlighted that the findings demonstrate the potential of modest lifestyle changes to prevent millions of diabetes cases worldwide. The research, part of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, underscores the importance of combining dietary changes with physical activity and professional support for weight loss. Dr. Miguel Martínez-González, another co-author, noted that adding calorie control and exercise to the Mediterranean diet prevented diabetes in approximately three out of every 100 people in the study.