Mediterranean diet slashes stroke risk by a quarter, major study reveals.
Researchers behind the largest-ever long-term study of its kind have found that adhering to the Mediterranean diet can significantly lower an individual's risk of suffering from a stroke. This is good news for millions of people worldwide who are susceptible to the devastating condition, with over 15 million people globally experiencing a stroke every year, resulting in 5 million fatalities and another 5 million being left permanently disabled.
The study, published in Neurology Open Access, followed the dietary habits of 105,614 women from California for an average of two decades, comparing them to those who did not follow the Mediterranean diet. The results showed that women who closely adhered to the diet were at least 25% less likely to suffer from a hemorrhagic stroke and 16% less likely to be affected by an ischemic stroke compared to their counterparts.
The study's findings are based on participants' reported dietary data, which may raise questions about its reliability. However, independent experts have welcomed the results, emphasizing that there is "huge potential" to reduce the risk of stroke through improved diet choices. The Mediterranean diet has previously been linked to numerous health benefits, including cardiovascular disease prevention.
The key components of the Mediterranean diet include an abundance of olive oil, nuts, seafood, whole grains, and vegetables. While experts caution that the study did not prove causation but only association, they are cautiously optimistic about the potential benefits for stroke prevention. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, highlighted that nine out of 10 strokes can be prevented through dietary modifications and lifestyle changes.
The findings provide welcome support to ongoing efforts to improve public health through diet-based interventions. As Wang noted in her statement, "Our findings...support the mounting evidence that a healthy diet is critical to stroke prevention." However, further research is required to uncover the exact mechanisms behind this effect and to identify potential new avenues for prevention.
Researchers behind the largest-ever long-term study of its kind have found that adhering to the Mediterranean diet can significantly lower an individual's risk of suffering from a stroke. This is good news for millions of people worldwide who are susceptible to the devastating condition, with over 15 million people globally experiencing a stroke every year, resulting in 5 million fatalities and another 5 million being left permanently disabled.
The study, published in Neurology Open Access, followed the dietary habits of 105,614 women from California for an average of two decades, comparing them to those who did not follow the Mediterranean diet. The results showed that women who closely adhered to the diet were at least 25% less likely to suffer from a hemorrhagic stroke and 16% less likely to be affected by an ischemic stroke compared to their counterparts.
The study's findings are based on participants' reported dietary data, which may raise questions about its reliability. However, independent experts have welcomed the results, emphasizing that there is "huge potential" to reduce the risk of stroke through improved diet choices. The Mediterranean diet has previously been linked to numerous health benefits, including cardiovascular disease prevention.
The key components of the Mediterranean diet include an abundance of olive oil, nuts, seafood, whole grains, and vegetables. While experts caution that the study did not prove causation but only association, they are cautiously optimistic about the potential benefits for stroke prevention. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, highlighted that nine out of 10 strokes can be prevented through dietary modifications and lifestyle changes.
The findings provide welcome support to ongoing efforts to improve public health through diet-based interventions. As Wang noted in her statement, "Our findings...support the mounting evidence that a healthy diet is critical to stroke prevention." However, further research is required to uncover the exact mechanisms behind this effect and to identify potential new avenues for prevention.
I'm not convinced that following this Mediterranean diet will be a magic pill for everyone. Like, what about people who just can't afford to eat fancy olives and nuts all the time? Or those with severe food allergies or intolerances? We need more nuanced research that takes into account these kinds of disparities in access to healthy food options. And let's not forget that this study was based on self-reported data... 
doesn't necessarily mean it's 100% accurate. Still, I do think it's a great starting point for exploring the link between diet and stroke risk.