In August 2018 researchers from Italy published the results of their study to assess the association between a Mediterranean dietary pattern and its individual components with the cardiovascular risk factors, blood glucose and BMI in 2,568 individuals with diabetes type 2. Dietary information was collected via questionnaire, and a Mediterranean diet score assigned based on the individual’s adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A high compared to a low score was associated with a better quality of diet and a greater adherence to the nutritional recommendations for diabetes. However, even in the group achieving a high score, only a small proportion of individuals met the daily recommendations for fibre and saturated fat (respectively 17% and 30%). Despite this a high dietary score was associated with lower values of lipids, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and BMI. The study findings support the view that a Mediterranean style diet is beneficial for individuals with diabetes type 2 and that the beneficial health effects lie primarily in the interaction between various nutrients and foods rather than on any individual component.
Vitale M et al. Impact of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Its Components on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Glucose Control, and Body Weight in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-Life Study. Nutrients. 2018 Aug 10;10(8). pii: E1067.