Researchers at the University of Navarra in northern Spain studied the eating habits of more than 14,000 Spanish volunteers over four years to see who developed the condition. Their health and dietary habits were then tracked in detail over the following months and years.
After four years, 103 people became diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, mainly those who did not follow the basics of the Med diet. Those who strictly adhered to the diet enjoyed a relative reduction of 83 percent in the risk of diabetes.
The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, said the average age of those taking part was around 40 years old -under the normal age for Type 2 diabetes to strike.
The Mediterranean diet is a modern nutritional recommendation inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of some of the countries of the Mediterranean Basin. The diet focuses on olive oil, fish, grains, fruit, nuts and vegetables, usually supplemented by a modest amount of red wine. Meat and dairy products have only a minor role.
Type 2 diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
