Can the Mediterranean diet lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetes? Results from a randomized cross-over study

Abstract

Background and aims: To investigate the impact of a diet modeled on the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet on metabolic control and vascular risk in type 2 diabetes. Methods and results: Twenty-seven subjects (47-77 yrs) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume either the intervention diet ad libitum or their usual diet for 12 weeks and then cross over to the alternate diet. Most of the meals and staple foods for the intervention diet were provided. Lipids, glycemic variables, blood pressure, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, plasma carotenoids and body composition (anthropometry and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) were assessed at baseline, and at the end of both diet per..