A recent study has found that a Mediterranean diet combined with exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in older adults. Conducted in Spain, the study involved 6,874 participants aged 55 to 75, all of whom were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome but were free of diabetes at the start. Participants following a calorie-reduced Mediterranean diet and engaging in moderate exercise had a 31% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over six years compared to those who only followed the diet.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that participants in the intervention group also experienced modest weight loss and reduced be