Impacto da dieta mediterrânea no controle glicêmico e fatores cardiovasculares em pessoas com diabetes tipo 2

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized as one of the most prevalent NCDs and has the greatest impact on public health. One of the main modifiable risk factors for the development and worsening of DM2 is inadequate nutrition. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has stood out for its potential benefits in glycemic control, lipid profile and reduction of cardiovascular events. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the effects of the Mediterranean diet on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with type 2 diabetes, as well as the development of more effective strategies regarding dietary interventions. Methodology: The study is an integrative bibliographic review with descriptive and exploratory aspects, with a total of 7 articles selected between the years 2020 to 2025. Results: The effects of the Mediterranean diet in adults with type 2 diabetes have shown significant results. In the studies analyzed, improvements in the reduction of fasting blood glucose levels became evident, with positive results in relation to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight control, and consequently a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: After analyzing the studies in this review, it is concluded that the Mediterranean diet has visible effects on both glycemic control and cardiovascular health, and also shows improvements in the lipid profile, blood pressure and even the intestinal microbiota, contributing to a reduction in chronic inflammation. Furthermore, the Mediterranean dietary pattern has proven to be easy to adhere to, especially due to its composition rich in natural, fresh, minimally processed foods, in addition to being a balanced and sustainable strategy.