Mediterranean Diet Effects on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Disease Progression, and Related Mechanisms. A Review

Abstract

The search for a quality diet has grown over the past decade. Diet is considered one of the pillars for the prevention and progression of several diseases, among them: diabetes. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an epidemic of western countries that increases the vulnerability of other diseases, such as cardiovascular and cancer. T2D is associated with lifestyle and diet. The traditional Mediterranean diet has proven its benefits over several cardiovascular risk factors, and specifically on diabetes. This review compiles recent published evidence on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the incidence and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relation with several other cardiovascular healthy diets. We will also focus on how the Mediterranean diet could play a role in T2D-related mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant compounds, glucagon-like peptide agonist compounds, and changes in gut microbiota. Each component of the Mediterranean diet could be involved in processes related to diabetes homeostasis, many of them sharing common physio-pathological pathways. The importance of this diet within the set of habits of a healthy lifestyle must be emphasized.

Nutrition as a Key Modifiable Factor for Periodontitis and Main Chronic Diseases

“…The results from the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) randomized trial, showed a reduction of 40% in the incidence of type-2 diabetes in subjects adopting the Mediterranean diet with extra-virgin olive oil but without energy restriction compared with subjects adopting a low-fat control diet [ 115 ]. In a recent review Martín-Peláez et al analyzed clinical trials and prospective cohort studies including more than 100,000 participants [ 116 ]. They reported similar results and underlined that the positive impact is due to olive oil, which helps glycemic control by lowering fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c.…”

Adherence to Ketogenic and Mediterranean Study Diets in a Crossover Trial: The Keto–Med Randomized Trial

“…That level of carbohydrate restriction requires eliminating legumes, fruits, starchy vegetables, and grains (including whole grains) from the diet. Both the Mediterranean and Ketogenic diets have been found to improve glycemic control and other diabetes-related outcomes [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. An important practical question is whether the diets differ in long-term sustainability.…”

A Polyphenol Enriched Variety of Apple Alters Circulating Immune Cell Gene Expression and Faecal Microbiota Composition in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Such a diet contains minimally processed fruits and vegetables, and is thought to be associated with a reduced risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It may also lead to a slowing of disease progression [ 6 ]. The various phytochemicals contained within fruits and vegetables, including phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids and carotenoids, may play a key role in this reduction of chronic disease risk [ 7 , 8 ].…”