Mindful Eating as a Tool for Diabetes Prevention and Management: A Review of Potential Mechanisms of Action

Objectives: Diabetes is a complex condition that often requires the simultaneous employment of diverse approaches for prevention and treatment. Mindful eating may be a beneficial complementary approach. This narrative review analyzes potential mechanisms of action through which mindful eating may regulate blood glucose and thereby aid in diabetes prevention and management. Findings from this review may serve to inform both clinical practice and new research in the field. Method: We conducted a narrative review focusing on the meditation-independent mechanisms by which mindful eating could improve blood glucose regulation. Specifically, we analyzed the effects of mindful eating practices on eating behavior, calorie intake, weight control, and/or glucose control. Results: Evidence suggests that mindful eating can improve eating behaviors by decreasing automatic and disordered eating which, in turn, may regulate blood glucose levels. Moreover, by eating slowly, attentively, and according to hunger and satiety cues, mindful eating may help align energy intake to energy needs, thereby improving weight and glycemic management. Conclusion: Key mindful eating practices that may directly or indirectly improve glycemic management include eating slowly, eating with deliberate attention to the sensory properties of food, cultivating acceptance of thoughts and feelings concerning food and eating, decentering from food-related thoughts, and relying on hunger and satiety cues to guide eating. Future research may improve our knowledge of these interventions and their application to the prevention and treatment of diabetes.