PREDIMED-Plus Study: A Major Dietary Experiment in Europe

The PREDIMED-Plus study, launched by the University of Navarra in 2013 with funding exceeding 15 million euros, is one of the largest dietary trials in Europe. This study aims to explore the effects of a calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet and physical activity on the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

The Mediterranean Diet: An Effective Prevention Model

The Mediterranean diet is renowned worldwide for its proven health benefits. It emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and legumes. In the PREDIMED-Plus study, participants were divided into two groups: the first followed a calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet with exercise, while the second continued with the traditional Mediterranean diet.

The results showed that the group following the calorie-restricted diet and engaging in physical activity managed to reduce their risk of developing diabetes and lost more weight. Participants in this group lost about 3.3 kilograms and 3.6 centimeters from their waist circumference.

Type 2 Diabetes: A Global Health Crisis

Type 2 diabetes affects over 530 million people worldwide, contributing to rising obesity rates, unhealthy lifestyles, and aging. In Spain alone, approximately 4.7 million people live with this disease, making it one of the most affected European countries.

Experts emphasize the importance of prevention as a key strategy to combat this global crisis. The Mediterranean diet enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation, making it an effective strategy for diabetes prevention.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet, applying the same strategy outside the Mediterranean region, such as in the United States, faces obstacles. These include unequal access to healthy foods, unfavorable urban environments, and a lack of professional guidance.

For this reason, experts recommend promoting public policies that support more nutritious and equitable food environments. The findings of PREDIMED-Plus provide a realistic and applicable model for diabetes prevention.

Conclusion

The PREDIMED-Plus study represents a significant step towards understanding how the Mediterranean diet can be used as an effective model for preventing type 2 diabetes. By integrating calorie reduction and physical activity, this study has demonstrated that simple and sustainable lifestyle changes can offer substantial health benefits. As these efforts continue, they could contribute to reducing the incidence of this disease globally.