According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as one in three adults could develop diabetes by 2050. But researchers in Spain have discovered a simple and tasty diet can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Via CDC)
"Researchers found that the diet which is rich in produce, fish and olive oil reduced the risk of developing the disease by as much a 40 percent." (Via News 12 Connecticut)
"They studied more than 3,500 people. They put two-thirds of them on the Mediterranean diet and the remaining third on a regular low fat diet. After roughly four years they looked back on the study subjects." (Via ABC)
The results showed similar weight loss but those who had a diet rich in olive oil compared to those supplemented with nuts, had less than half the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (Via Los Angeles Times)
According to researchers olive oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Beliflyarom)
A researcher not invoved in the study told HealthDay News, "The important message from this study is the value of a Mediterranean diet plan to ... overall health ... the use of olive oil in place of solid fats provides a wider variety of phytonutrients, which promote health, aid metabolism and provide feelings of fullness."
It's important to note, the findings merely found an association with long term olive oil use, not a cause and effect relationship. Also, only people between ages 55 and 80 were included in the study.
