The traditional Mediterranean diet protects against diabetes

The traditional Mediterranean diet protects against diabetes

The traditional Mediterranean diet provides protection against type 2 diabetes, according to a study today. Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, cereals, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish, but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol.

The current data suggest that the diet has a protective role in cardiovascular disease, but we know little about his role in the risk for diabetes in the healthy.

On Sunday, a prospective cohort study involving over 13 000 graduates of the University of Navarre in Spain, with no history of diabetes has been set between December 1999 and November 2007, and the dietary habits and health were.

From 136 participants completed a questionnaire on the frequency point to measure the entire diet. The questionnaire also included questions about the use of fats and oils, cooking methods and dietary supplements.

Every two years, participants are sent questionnaires to monitor the diet, lifestyle, risk factors and medical conditions. New cases of diabetes were due to medical reports.

During the period of observation (median 4.4 years), researchers at the University of Navarre was found that participants who stuck in the diet have a lower risk of diabetes. A strong adherence to the diet has been associated with a relative reduction of 83% increased risk for diabetes.

It is interesting that the participants, according to the strict application of the diet also has the highest prevalence of risk factors for diabetes such as age, family history of diabetes, and a larger proportion of former smokers. The group of participants, therefore, to expect a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus, but that was not the case. Indeed, the authors argue that a lower risk for diabetes, ensure that the diet can make a significant protection.

The most important features for the protection of food daily needs of plant fiber and low fat intake of trans fatty acids and a diet with moderate alcohol. In addition, an essential component of the diet is the abundant use of olive oil for cooking, frying, in which the bread and vinaigrette.

The traditional Mediterranean diet protects against diabetes