Sat Aug 17, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study published in Diabetologia suggests that eating a Mediterranean diet or a diet with low carbohydrates can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dr Carlo La Vecchia, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy, and colleagues conducted the study and found people whose diets had the highest amounts of carbohydrates were 21 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared with those who had the lowest amounts of carbohydrates.

The involved 22,295 men and women who were followed up for over 11 years during which 2330 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified.  All participants were surveyed through a food frequency questionnaire for their dietary habits and an adherence score (Mediterranean Diet Score) for each participant was determined.

The researchers found participants with an Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) over 6 were 12% less likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared with those with the lowest MDS at 3 or under.

Low carbohydrate diet is not necessarily a diet with high fat.  Saturated fat and trans fat have been found to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes.  The important thing is to avoid simple sugars such as cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

A recent study has suggested that sugar consumption in a dose of three cans a day shorten women's lifespan and men's sexual life.