Women who regularly follow a Mediterranean diet show a lower risk of stroke, according to a new study.
The Mediterranean diet has long been linked to a wide range of health benefits, from slowing the onset of dementia to boosting heart health. A new study has found it can also slash stroke risk in women by up to 25 percent.
The findings, published in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that following a Mediterranean diet may help mitigate stroke risk in women.
The researchers found that women with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 18 percent less likely to experience any stroke, including a 16 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke, and a 25 percent lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow is blocked to part of the brain; it is the most common type of stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain.
“Our findings support the mounting evidence that a healthy diet is critical to stroke prevention,” said study author Sophia S. Wang, from the United States-based City of Hope cancer research centre.
She added that, as stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, it is interesting to think that improving our diets could lessen our risk for this devastating disease.
The study noted that women have a higher lifetime incidence of stroke than men, partially attributable to the sharp increase in stroke risk among postmenopausal women.
Women also have an increased lifetime prevalence of stroke risk factors, including hypertension and arrhythmia.
How was the study done?
The study involved more than 105,600 women with an average age of 53 at the start of the study, who had no history of stroke.
Participants filled out a questionnaire on their diet and were given a score from zero to nine based on how closely they followed a Mediterranean diet.
After the first survey, participants were followed for an average of 21 years. During that time, the researchers recorded 4,083 strokes, with 3,358 ischemic strokes and 725 hemorrhagic strokes.
The study has some limitations, mainly that it is based on self-reported data, which always means some information may not be fully accurate.
The researchers noted that further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to help us understand the mechanisms behind them, so we can identify new ways to prevent stroke.
Other benefits of the Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is characterised by its largely plant-based emphasis on healthy fats, especially olive oil. It prioritises high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish, and olive oil, and low intake of dairy, red meat, and saturated fats.
A recent study associated the Mediterranean diet with lower risks of dementia among people with genetic risks.
The US researchers found that people following this diet were less likely to develop dementia and had slower cognitive decline.
Other proven benefits include better gum health, sugar control, and less age-related cognitive decline.
