Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Stroke Risk in Women

A dietary pattern known as the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) may be linked to a reduced risk of stroke in women, according to research published online February 4 in Neurology Open Access.

Understanding the Study

Researchers, led by Ayesha Z. Sherzai, M.D., from the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, analyzed data from a long-term study of 133,477 women. These women, who were educators and administrators, were initially enrolled between 1995 and 1996.

Did You Know? The study followed participants for an average of 20.5 years, tracking stroke incidents through California hospitalization data and national death records.

The study aimed to determine if adherence to a Mediterranean diet correlated with different types of stroke. Researchers calculated a MeDi adherence score based on participants’ responses to a food frequency questionnaire completed at the beginning of the study.

Stroke Risk and Dietary Adherence

After analyzing data from 105,614 participants, the researchers identified 4,083 stroke events during the follow-up period. These included 3,358 ischemic strokes and 725 hemorrhagic strokes.

Women with the highest MeDi scores—6 to 9—demonstrated a lower risk of all stroke types compared to those with scores ranging from 0 to 2. Specifically, the hazard ratios were 0.82 for all stroke, 0.84 for ischemic stroke, and 0.75 for hemorrhagic stroke.

Expert Insight: Identifying dietary patterns associated with lower stroke risk is significant because stroke remains a major cause of death and long-term disability. This research suggests that lifestyle factors, like diet, could play a role in prevention.

What This Could Mean

According to coauthor Sophia S. Wang, Ph.D., of City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California, “Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, so it’s exciting to think that improving our diets could lessen our risk for this devastating disease.”

Further research may be conducted to confirm these findings and to explore the underlying mechanisms that connect the Mediterranean diet to stroke prevention. Future studies will pinpoint specific components of the diet responsible for the observed benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of stroke were examined in the study?

The study examined both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes, as well as all stroke events combined.

Who participated in the study?

The study included 133,477 women who were educators and administrators initially enrolled in 1995 to 1996.

How was adherence to the Mediterranean diet measured?

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was calculated using a MeDi adherence score based on participants’ responses to a food frequency questionnaire.

Could a greater understanding of the link between diet and stroke lead to more effective preventative strategies?