Mediterranean diet

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Mediterranean diet adherence lowers type 2 diabetes risk by up to 12%

A large case-cohort study within the EPIC cohort of 340,234 participants across eight European countries found that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduced type 2 diabetes risk by 12% (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79–0.97) over 3.99 million person-years of follow-up, with a significant dose-response trend (P = 0.013). A systematic review of 37 studies further corroborated these findings, with 89% of analyzed studies supporting a protective association between Mediterranean diet adherence and reduced cardiodiabesity risk, including type 2 diabetes as a core component. The benefit appeared strongest in non-obese individuals over age 50. Combined, these two analyses spanning tens of thousands of participants consistently link greater Mediterranean diet adherence—emphasizing vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil—with meaningful type 2 diabetes risk reduction.

Evidence

Mediterranean diet and cardiodiabesity: a review

Authors: Bach Faig, Anna, Estruch Riba, Ramon, García Fernández, Elena, Rico Cabanas, Laura, Rosgaard, Nanna

Published: March 26, 2018

This systematic review analyzed 37 studies from PubMed including clinical trials, cross-sectional, and prospective cohort studies examining the Mediterranean diet's relationship with cardiodiabesity risk factors. Four studies specifically addressed type 2 diabetes. Of the 37 total studies reviewed, 33 (89%) provided strong evidence supporting an association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and reduced incidence of collective cardiodiabesity risk, which includes type 2 diabetes as a core component of the cardiodiabesity construct.

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Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study: the InterAct project.

Authors: Arriola, L, Bendinelli, B, Beulens, JW, Boeing, H, Buckland, G, Buijsse, B, Clavel-Chapelon, F, Cottet, V, Crowe, FL, de Lauzon-Guillan, B, Feskens, EJM, Forouhi, NG, Franks, PW, Gonzalez, C, Grioni, S, Guevara, M, Hallmans, G, InterAct Consortium, Kaaks, R, Key, TJ, Khaw, K, Langenberg, C, Molina-Montes, E, Moreno-Iribas, MC, Nilsson, P, Norat, T, Overvad, K, Palla, L, Palli, D, Panico, S, Quirós, JR, Riboli, E, Rolandsson, O, Romaguera, D, Romieu, I, Sacerdote, C, Schulze, MB, Sharp, S, Slimani, N, Spijkerman, AMW, Sánchez, MJ, Teucher, B, Tjonneland, A, Tormo, MJ, Tumino, R, van der Schouw, YT, van der, ADL, Wareham, NJ

Published: January 1, 2011

In this case-cohort study nested within the EPIC cohort of 340,234 participants with 3.99 million person-years of follow-up, 11,994 incident type 2 diabetes cases were identified alongside a stratified subcohort of 15,798 participants from eight European countries. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet (rMED score 11-18) was associated with a 12% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.97) compared to low adherence (rMED 0-6). Medium adherence (rMED 7-10) showed a non-significant 7% reduction (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.01). A significant dose-response trend was observed across adherence categories (P for trend = 0.013). The association was attenuated among participants under 50 years of age and among obese individuals.

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