Mediterranean diets can help lower diabetes risk in people suffering from heart problems, a new study has found.
The study was conducted over 3,500 old people living in Spain. All the participants were at increased risk of heart diseases. Researchers found these people can lower their chances of diabetes type-2 by following a Mediterranean-style diet. This type of diet includes whole grains, fish, fruits and vegetables and a glass of wine, Livescience reported.
For the study, researchers divided participants into three groups; one group was asked to consume extra virgin olive oil along with a Mediterranean diet, the second was put on a Mediterranean diet with mixed nuts. Participants in the third group were asked to stay on a low fat diet.
Researchers then assessed the medical records of participants between 2003 and 2010. They found that people in the olive oil group had 40 percent lower chances of developing diabetes type-2 than the low-fat diet group (comparison group). The nut group had 18 percent lower chances of having diabetes type-2, which wasn't 'statistically significant', HealthDay reported.
The present study was initially designed to look at the effects of Mediterranean diets on heart health. It was only after the completion of the first study, the team reanalyzed the data to see whether or not the diet lowered risk of diabetes.
Since the study wasn't designed to see the benefits of the diet on diabetes, the results are simply suggestive, according to LiveScience. It is published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Previous research has shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables prevents stroke in genetically at-risk people. Also, a good diet can lower risk of memory loss in older adults.
According to the American Heart Association, over half of fat calories in a Mediterranean diet come from monounsaturated fats (from olive oil). This type of fat is healthier than saturated fat found in American diet.