Tuesday June 17, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study report recently published in the journal Metabolism suggests that following Mediterranean diet may significantly reduce risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The study based on data from 17 original research studies including one clinical trial, nine prospective and seven cross-sectional studies with 136,846 participants enrolled shows that strict adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with 23% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adjustment for region, health status of participants and confounders led to similar results.

The study concluded "Mediterranean diet could, if appropriately adjusted to reflect local food availability and individual's needs, constitute a beneficial nutritional choice for the primary prevention of diabetes."

The preventative effect against type 2 diabetes mellitus may have something to do with monounsaturated fatty acids.  Prior studies show that saturated fat and trans fat are contributing factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus.  One feature of Mediterranean diet is that it uses olive oil, which is high in monounsaturated fat. (david Liu, PHD)

Koloverou E, Esposito K, Giugliano D, Panagiotakos D.  The effect of Mediterranean diet on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of 10 prospective studies and 136,846 participants.  Metabolism. 2014 Jul;63(7):903-911. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2014.04.010.