A large European clinical trial found that combining a lower-calorie Mediterranean diet with exercise and coaching reduced type 2 diabetes incidence by 31 percent over six years.
Participants received structured dietary guidance based on Mediterranean eating patterns rich in vegetables, olive oil and whole grains.
Exercise sessions and behavioral coaching supplemented the nutritional intervention throughout the study.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough of it.
The 31 percent reduction compared with a control group not receiving the full intervention package.
European populations in the trial reflected diverse ages and baseline risk profiles.
Researchers said lifestyle programs can prevent diabetes at rates comparable to some pharmaceutical approaches.
The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with cardiovascular benefits in observational research.
Six-year follow-up provided unusually long-term evidence for diabetes prevention strategies.
Health systems may use the results to justify community-based diet and exercise programs.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/