A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that a Mediterranean-style diet combined with calorie reduction, moderate physical activity, and professional support for weight loss can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 31%. Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and their collaborators analyzed data from 4,746 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus clinical trial.
The study found that those who adhered to a Mediterranean diet with reduced caloric intake, moderate physical activity, and professional support for weight loss had a significantly lower risk of developing T2D compared to those who followed a Mediterranean diet without these changes. The intervention group also experienced greater weight loss and reduced waist circumference.
“Our findings show that modest, sustained changes in diet and lifestyle could prevent millions of cases of this disease worldwide,” said co-author Frank Hu. “In practical terms, adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet can prevent around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes.”
The study’s results support previous research linking the Mediterranean diet to better health outcomes, including improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation. The findings also highlight the importance of professional support for weight loss in achieving optimal health benefits.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-mediterranean-diet-combined-calorie-reduction.html