Home / Health / Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Changes Cut Diabetes Risk by 31%
Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Changes Cut Diabetes Risk by 31%
27 Aug
Summary
- Mediterranean diet with calorie control, exercise, and support lowers diabetes risk by 31%
- Study followed nearly 4,800 overweight/obese adults in Spain for 6 years
- Participants who made lifestyle changes lost 7 lbs and trimmed 1.4 inches from waist
According to research published on August 25, 2025, following a Mediterranean-style diet combined with calorie control, regular physical activity, and professional support can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese adults. The findings come from the PREDIMED-Plus trial, a 6-year study involving nearly 4,800 older adults in Spain who were at risk of diabetes.
The study found that the group following a Mediterranean diet with additional lifestyle changes, including cutting about 600 calories per day, engaging in moderate exercise like brisk walking or light strength training, and receiving professional weight-loss support, had a 31% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to the control group. On average, the first group lost 7 pounds and trimmed 1.4 inches from their waistlines, while the control group saw much smaller changes.
"Adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet prevented around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes," said co-author Miguel Martínez-González, a professor at the University of Navarra in Spain. Experts say these simple lifestyle modifications could help prevent millions of new diabetes cases worldwide.
