Originally published July 25 2005
Mediterranean diet may reduce diabetes risk, study finds
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Recent studies in Europe suggest people who follow the Mediterranean diet -- rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and healthy cereals and oils -- and who have an active lifestyle could cut their mortality rate in half, and the diet was also shown to reduce heart disease and diabetes risk in pre-diabetic individuals.
Thankfully, that's been on a steady decline ever since the masses finally realized -- after losing lots of pounds and immediately regaining them -- that snacking on cheese wrapped in bacon is clearly not healthy.
There had been some favorable scientific reports on the Mediterranean diet in the past, but Americans failed to jump on board with even a tiny fraction of the passion that went into the Atkins revolution.
Two recent large-scale and well-crafted research studies, conducted in Europe, offer evidence that is very promising.
In one study, thousands of older subjects followed the Mediterranean diet, which was integrated into a healthy lifestyle that included regular physical activity, not smoking and moderate alcohol consumption.
Participants between 70 and 90 years of age who followed the diet plus other healthy lifestyle habits reduced their mortality rate by half over 10 years compared with the control group.
One group consumed the Mediterranean diet; the other consumed a reasonably healthy control diet (used to compare results) consisting of less than 30 percent fat, 50 percent to 60 percent carbs and the rest protein.
After two years, 40 participants (44 percent) in the Mediterranean diet group still had metabolic syndrome, while in the control group the number was 78 (87 percent).
The Mediterranean diet consists of generous doses of olive oil.
The Mediterranean diet is heavy on vegetables, fruits, legumes (lentils, several varieties of beans), nuts and healthy cereals.
The substantial reduction in red meat and dairy products stands out in stark contrast to the typical American diet.
Yes, to a point, and eventually medical scientists will figure it out.
Cut back on red meat, dairy products and simple sugar items (soft drinks, candy, other sweets), and you will pretty much automatically default toward the Mediterranean diet.
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