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It has always been believed that eating a low fat diet may help patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. However, a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care has found that not all fat is bad. Patients with type 2 diabetes, who eat a Mediterranean diet regularly, may not require diabetes medication for almost eight years after the disease has been diagnosed. It is important to note that the Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, olive oil and fish and low in red meat.
According to Katherine Esposito, the lead author of the study and a researcher from the Diabetes Unit at University Hospital at the Second University of Naples, Italy, in the Mediterranean diet, more than 30% of daily total calorie intake is made up of fat. However, this fat is monounsaturated fat, a healthy fat derived from olives.
People on a low fat diet lose less weight compared to people on Mediterranean diet
The researchers followed patients who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for eight years. Half of the patients were assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet while the other half were supposed to eat a low fat diet. In both the groups, the women were supposed to consume 1500 calories per day while the men were supposed to consume 1800 calories per day. People on the Mediterranean diet ate a lot of whole grains and vegetables, and had poultry and fish instead of red meat. Less than 50% of their calories came from carbohydrates while more than 30% of the calories came from fats like olive oil. The group on a low fat diet had less than 30% of their daily calories coming from fats.
It was seen that at the end of 4 years, some participants from both the groups required diabetes medication. At the end of 6 years, all the participants from low fat group were on diabetes medication while some from the Mediterranean diet group still did not need medication. It was only after 8 years that all the participants from both the groups required medicines for diabetes. The researchers also observed that participants on the Mediterranean diet lost more weight compared to people on a low fat diet.
The researchers concluded that it is not fat but the type of fat consumed that has an effect on diabetes. The Mediterranean diet leads to a greater reduction of HbA1c levels and a delayed need for diabetes medicines.
Summary
Consuming Mediterranean diet which is high in fiber and monounsaturated fats and low on red meat can lead to diabetes remission or a delayed need for diabetes medication.
Reference
- Katherine Esposito, Maria Ida Maiorino, Dario Giugliano, et al. The Effects of a Mediterranean Diet on Need for Diabetes Drugs and Remission of Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: Follow-up of a Randomized Trial,Diabetes Care
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Patients with Type 2 Diabetes may Benefit from Mediterranean Diet
