A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has presented compelling evidence that the Mediterranean diet, when paired with lifestyle interventions such as weight loss and physical activity, can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, part of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, involved over 4,800 participants aged 55 and older in Spain who were overweight or obese and at risk of diabetes. The study spanned six years and demonstrated that individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet while also adhering to a calorie-restricted diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and receiving professional support had a 31% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to those who followed the diet without these additional interventions.
Dr. Miguel Martínez-González, a co-author of the study from the University of Navarra in Spain, stated that the results suggest a clear, measurable benefit for public health. “Adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet prevented around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes,” he noted. Furthermore, Dr. Frank Hu, a co-author and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, emphasized the growing global threat of diabetes, noting that nearly 16% of U.S. adults are affected. He asserted that simple lifestyle changes could help prevent millions of new cases.
Participants in the study were divided into two groups. One followed a Mediterranean diet with additional lifestyle changes, including a 600-calorie reduction per day, moderate exercise such as brisk walking or light strength training, and professional weight-loss support. The other group followed the Mediterranean diet alone without calorie restriction, exercise guidance, or support. After six years, the first group not only had a significantly lower risk of diabetes but also experienced greater weight loss and reduced waist circumference compared to the control group. On average, they lost 3.3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) and trimmed 3.6 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) from their waistlines, whereas the control group lost only 0.6 kilograms (1.3 pounds) with minimal waist size change.
Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, another co-author and professor at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Spain, highlighted the study’s importance in offering a “highly sustainable, long-term weight-loss option” within a relatively high-fat diet. He also noted that no prior trial had evaluated the impact of calorie reduction in the context of a healthy, high-fat diet like the Mediterranean one. The study’s approach to monitoring diet, physical activity, and weight loss made it challenging to isolate the impact of individual factors, as the benefits appeared to be a result of the combined lifestyle changes.
Experts such as Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News senior medical analyst, have previously extolled the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. He pointed out that diets high in saturated fats, salts, and sugars are not heart-healthy and increase the risks of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, all of which are linked to higher mortality rates. While the study does not definitively identify which factor—diet, exercise, or weight loss—had the most impact, the findings reinforce the importance of a holistic approach to health. Researchers also emphasized the need for further studies to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in younger populations and non-Mediterranean groups, as the study was based on older adults in Spain.