Mediterranean Diet Preferable to Low-Fat Diet in Lowering Diabetes Risk

A study published on the Diabetes Care website (October 7, 2010) has announced that a Mediterranean diet is preferable to a low fat diet in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was led by Universitari de Sant Joan’s Jordi Salas-Salvadó, M. D., Ph. D.

The study followed 418 non-diabetic subjects between the ages of 55 and 80 who were at high cardiovascular risk. Over a period of 4 years three groups of participants were assigned to different dietary regimens: the Mediterraneandiet supplemented with 1 litre of olive oil per week; the Mediterranean diet supplemented with 30g of nuts per week; and a low fat diet, which served as the control group.

During the follow-up researchers found the highest incidence of diabetes in the control group, with 17.9% of individuals having developed the disease. There was a 10.1% incidence in the group consuming the Mediterraneandiet supplemented with olive oil, and 11.0% in the group consuming the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts.

Researchers concluded that an increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely related to diabetes incidence in subjects at high cardiovascular risk. Heavy consumption of olive oil and vegetables, supplemented by nuts, is estimated to reduce the risk of diabetes by 52%.

Via : topnews

Diet Consisting of Multiple Foods Beneficial for Health

According to a recently conducted study, the risk of suffering from heart diseases and other conditions like the Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes could be drastically reduced by following a few simple steps. The few simple steps, involve around the consumption of food rich in anti-oxidants and wholegrains.

Scientists in the study have discovered that there is a decline of 33% in cholesterol and 10% in blood pressure, if a person consumes a diet consisting of diverse categories of foods. It has been found in the study that multiple foods are more beneficial to health rather than just single types of foods.

A professor of multi-nutrition, Inger Björk from the Lund University, while talking about the results of the study has stated that the conclusion of the research had exceeded the expectations of the research team. She added that such results had never been observed in previous studies and that the new results would further influence the society to adopt more preventive efforts against diseases.

While talking to the Daily Express, Angela Dowden, a nutritionist, stated that it is possible that only one of the foods could be beneficial in bringing down excesses. However, it is more probable that the additive affects of other foods was just as important to reduce risks.

The study has been conducted by a team of researchers at the Lund University in Sweden.

Via : topnews