The Mechanisms of the Mediterranean Diet on the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Authors

  • Xinran Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61173/ad23m051

Keywords:

Mediterranean diet, type 2 diabetes mellitus, prevention

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a serious global health problem. Since it cannot be cured at present, its prevention is very important. A daily diet is one of the keys to preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among many diets, the Mediterranean diet, as a healthy plant-based diet, has attracted much attention. This paper studied the effect and mechanisms of Mediterranean diet on the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Through literature review, this report found that the Mediterranean diet has many effects on preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus, including anti-inflammatory, preventing obesity, alleviating insulin resistance and preventing cardiovascular disease. and found the main mechanism of nutrients in the Mediterranean diet in these aspects, including polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, and short-chain fatty acids. This report finally conclude that the Mediterranean diet has a significant and multifaceted effect on the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

References

[1] Schwarz P. IDF global clinical practice recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes - 2025. Diabetes Research And Clinical Practice, 2025, 22(2): 112-158.

[2] Zhou Y C, Liu J M, Zhao Z P, et al. The national and provincial prevalence and non-fatal burdens of diabetes in China from 2005 to 2023 with projections of prevalence to 2050. Military Medical Research, 2025, 12(1): 28-32.

[3] Salas-Salvadó J, Martinez-González M Á, Bulló M, et al. The role of diet in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Nutrition Metabolism And Cardiovascular Diseases, 2011, 21(4): 32-48.

[4] Zeraattalab-Motlagh S, Jayedi A, Shab-Bidar S. Mediterranean dietary pattern and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. European Journal Of Nutrition, 2022, 61(4): 1735-1748.

[5] Newsholme P, Keane K N, Carlessi R, et al. Oxidative stress pathways in pancreatic β-cells and insulin-sensitive cells and tissues: importance to cell metabolism, function, and dysfunction. American Journal Of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 2019, 317(3): 420-433.

[6] Salas-Salvadó J, Bulló M, Estruch R, et al. Prevention of diabetes with Mediterranean diets: a subgroup analysis of a randomized trial. Annals Of Internal Medicine, 2014, 160(1): 1-10.

[7] Ying Z, Fu M, Fang Z, et al. Mediterranean diet lowers risk of new-onset diabetes: a nationwide cohort study in China. Nutrition Journal, 2024, 23(1): 131.

[8] Lontchi-Yimagou E, Sobngwi E, Matsha T E, et al. Diabetes mellitus and inflammation. Current Diabetes Reports, 2013, 13(3): 435-444.

[9] Itsiopoulos C, Mayr H L, Thomas C J. The anti-inflammatory effects of a Mediterranean diet: a review. Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition And Metabolic Care, 2022, 25(6): 415-422.

[10] Nani A, Murtaza B, Sayed Khan A, et al. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of polyphenols contained in Mediterranean diet in obesity: molecular mechanisms. Molecules, 2021, 26(4): 98-105.

[11] Simopoulos A P. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition, 2002, 21(6): 495-505.

[12] Santa-María C, López-Enríquez S, Montserrat-de la Paz S, Geniz I, Reyes-Quiroz M E, Moreno M, Palomares F, Sobrino F, et al. Update on anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms induced by oleic acid. Nutrients, 2023, 15(1): 22-24.

[13] Ruze R, Liu T, Zou X, et al. Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: connections in epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatments. Frontiers In Endocrinology, 2023, 14(12): 116-152.

[14] Ellulu M S, Patimah I, Khaza‘ai H, et al. Obesity and inflammation: the linking mechanism and the complications. Archives Of Medical Science, 2017, 13(4): 851-863.

[15] Tutunchi H, Ostadrahimi A, Saghafi-Asl M. The effects of diets enriched in monounsaturated oleic acid on the management and prevention of obesity: a systematic review of human intervention studies. Advances In Nutrition, 2020, 11(4): 864- 877.

[16] Deehan E C, Mocanu V, Madsen K L. Effects of dietary fibre on metabolic health and obesity. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2024, 21(5): 301-318. Dean&Francis ISSN 2959-409X

[17] Dominguez L J, Veronese N, Di Bella G, et al. Mediterranean diet in the management and prevention of obesity. Experimental Gerontology, 2023, 17(4): 112-121.

[18] Itsiopoulos C, Brazionis L, Kaimakamis M, et al. Can the Mediterranean diet lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetes? Results from a randomized cross-over study. Nutrition Metabolism And Cardiovascular Diseases, 2011, 21(9): 740-747.

[19] Shoelson S E, Lee J, Goldfine A B. Inflammation and insulin resistance. Journal Of Clinical Investigation, 2006, 116(7): 1793-1801.

[20] Shahwan M, Alhumaydhi F, Ashraf G M, Role of polyphenols in combating type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules, 2022, 20(6): 567-579.

[21] Zhang D, Jian Y P, Zhang Y N, et al. Short-chain fatty acids in diseases. Cell Communication And Signaling, 2023, 21(1): 21-28.

[22] Delgado-Lista J, Alcala-Diaz J F, Torres-Peña J D, et al. Long-term secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet and a low-fat diet: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 2022, 399(10338): 1876-1885.

[23] Rana A, Samtiya M, Dhewa T, Mishra V, et al. Health benefits of polyphenols: a concise review. Journal Of Food Biochemistry, 2022, 46(10): 14-26.

[24] Kosmas C E, Martinez I, Sourlas A, et al. Highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and its relevance to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Drugs In Context, 2018, 7(21): 21-25.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-19