A\u00a0MEDITERRANEAN\u00a0lifestyle\u00a0could help reduce cardiovascular complications and mortality among people with type 2 diabetes, according to a UK Biobank study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The findings suggest that adopting a broader Mediterranean lifestyle,\u00a0extending beyond diet to include physical activity, adequate rest and social connection,\u00a0may offer an accessible approach to reducing cardiovascular risk in people living with type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A Comprehensive Lifestyle Approach\u00a0<\/p>\n
Researchers analysed data from 3,612 British adults aged 40\u201370 with type 2 diabetes who\u00a0participated\u00a0in the UK Biobank. Participants were followed for a median of 10.5\u00a0to\u00a012.1 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adherence was assessed using\u00a0a modified\u00a0Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE), a 25-point score\u00a0based on information participants provided at baseline between 2009 and 2012.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The three assessed areas were\u00a0Mediterranean food consumption,\u00a0made up of 12 food items,\u00a0Mediterranean dietary habits,\u00a0including alcohol,\u00a0sugar\u00a0and caffeine habits\u00a0and, finally,\u00a0physical activity, rest, social\u00a0habits\u00a0and conviviality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During follow-up, 737 participants experienced\u00a0a major adverse cardiac event (MACE),\u00a0while 645 died from any cause,\u00a0and 171 died from cardiovascular disease.\u00a0MACE included myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, heart failure,\u00a0revascularisation\u00a0and cardiovascular death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Events\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participants with the highest MEDLIFE adherence had a 27% lower risk of MACE than those in the lowest adherence group.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The highest\u00a0adherence group also had a 26% lower risk of death from any cause and a 51% lower risk of cardiovascular death. Each two-point increase in MEDLIFE score was associated with a 12% reduction in MACE risk, a 9% reduction in all-cause mortality, and a 21% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The individual components of the lifestyle score also showed associations with outcomes. A two-point increase in the food-consumption\u00a0component\u00a0was associated with a 10% lower risk of MACE, while the physical activity, rest and social habits\u00a0component\u00a0was associated with 17% lower MACE risk, 14% lower all-cause mortality and 25% lower cardiovascular mortality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Potentially Accessible Tool for Diabetes Management\u00a0<\/p>\n
The associations remained broadly consistent across several sensitivity analyses, including analyses excluding early cardiovascular events and participants with MACE at baseline, as well as\u00a0additional\u00a0adjustment for dyslipidaemia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the study was observational, meaning that causal relationships cannot be\u00a0established. Lifestyle behaviours were self-reported, some MEDLIFE components were unavailable, and changes in lifestyle during follow-up could not be assessed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The researchers also note the potential for residual confounding and limited generalisability due to the UK Biobank\u2019s volunteer-based population.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the\u00a0overall\u00a0findings highlight the potential importance of a comprehensive Mediterranean lifestyle, rather than dietary changes alone, in supporting cardiovascular health among people with type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reference\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aznar de la Riera M.\u00a0et al.\u00a0Mediterranean lifestyle and risk of adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes.\u00a0eClinicalMedicine, 2026; 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
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