Women who eat a Mediterranean diet face a 22% lower risk of stroke
Women who eat a Mediterranean diet face a 22% lower risk of stroke – but the protective effect of fish and olive oil is dampened in men
- The Mediterranean diet revolves mainly around eating lots of fish and fruit
- An array of studies have already shown following it can boost heart health
- The new University of East Anglia trial adds to the growing list of benefits
- Researchers compared the stroke risk of 23,000 people to make the finding
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Women who eat a Mediterranean diet face much lower odds of suffering a stroke – but not men.
Researchers have found women who consume lots of fish, olive oil and vegetables have a 22 per cent reduced risk.
In comparison, the odds were only six per cent lower in men following the diet, which scientists warned may be down to chance.
The Mediterranean diet revolves mainly around eating lots of fish, fruits, nuts and vegetables, while cutting down on meat and dairy.
An array of studies have already shown following the diet can boost heart health, and even stave off cancer and boost sleep.
Researchers have found women who consume lots of fish, olive oil and vegetables have a 22 per cent reduced risk
The new trial, which assigned participants into four groups based on how closely they adhered to a Mediterranean diet, adds to the ever-growing list of benefits.
Experts at the University of East Anglia, who led the study of 23,000 people, then compared their stroke risk over a 17-year period.
Results showed the overall risk of suffering a stroke was slashed by around 17 per cent – but there was a huge gender difference.
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Patients at high risk of heart disease, leaving them vulnerable to a stroke, also had a lower risk of stroke if they followed a Mediterranean diet.
But, once again, the benefit of the diet was mostly driven from the protection it offered women – who had a 20 per cent reduced risk.
All of the participants were aged between 40 and 77.
EXPLAINED: THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Consuming more fruit and fish, and fewer sugary drinks and snacks, are the most important aspects of a Mediterranean diet.
Emphasis on:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Whole grains
- Fish and meat
- Monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil
Less of:
- Saturated fats, like butter
- Red meat
- Processed foods, like juice and white bread
- Soda
- Sugar
In moderation:
- A glass of red wine here and there is fine
How you can follow it:
- Eat more fish
- Squeeze more fruit & veg into every meal
- Swap your sunflower oil or butter for extra virgin olive oil
- Snack on nuts
- Eat fruit for dessert
Lead author Professor Ailsa Welch said: ‘It is unclear why we found differences between women and men.
‘But it could be that components of the diet may influence men differently than women.’
Professor Welch added the findings could be down to men and women suffering from different types of stroke.
However, she warned the trial was too small to test for this and called for further experiments to shed light on the link.
Scientists at the universities of Cambridge and Aberdeen were also involved in the study, one of the biggest ever conducted.
The results of the research were today published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.
Researchers used seven-day diet diaries, which they said had not been done before in such a large study.
Seven-day diaries – which ask volunteers to write down everything they eat and drink over a week – are more precise than questionnaires.
Professor Phyo Myint, study co-author and former British Association of Stroke Physicians Executive Committee member, praised the results.
He said: ‘Our findings provide clinicians and the public with information regarding the potential benefit of eating a Mediterranean-style diet for stroke prevention.’
Switching to a Mediterranean diet could help you sleep for longer each night, research suggested last week.
Greek scientists discovered people over the age of 65 slept sounder after eating olives, fish and seasonal fruits – major parts of the diet.
Experts were mystified as to how the diet, already known to boost heart health, may encourage people to sleep for longer.
However, they said it could boil down to some foods in the diet being ‘good sources’ of melatonin – a hormone that tells the brain it’s time to switch off and sleep.
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