title: Diabetes preventive components in the Mediterranean diet.
abstract: The so-called Mediterranean diet is claimed to be preventive with respect to diet-related degenerative diseases. It is suggested that the preventive effect especially with respect to diabetes might be the low glycemic index of this kind of diet. However, nutrients with a high GI are more frequently consumed in the Mediterranean diet than in other European countries. The major difference seems to be the higher amount of fiber and a higher intake of unsaturated fat together with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables. Based on recent studies from the nurses health and physicians health study, a diet which is similar to the Mediterranean diet, physical exercise and a BMI < 25 protects from the development of diabetes type 2.
authors.affiliation: Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 12, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany. biesal@uni-hohenheim.de
authors.forename: Hans K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Biesalski
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005638:Fruit; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007328:Insulin