New York (ABC/WSYR-TV) - The Mediterranean diet is more than a diet, it's a lifestyle. It is known to help control body mass, benefit heart health and affect some forms of cancer and overall mortality. Now a study out of France says that one key component of that diet may help protect against stroke.
The diet focuses on high quality foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, whole grains, a little wine and of course, olive oil.
Authors of the study wanted to determine if the amount of olive oil consumed is linked to stroke.
They reviewed dietary and lifestyle patterns, as well as medical records, of more than 7,600 French adults over the age of 65.
Participants who reported intensive use of olive oil were at a 41 percent lower risk of having a stroke, compared to those who do not use olive oil.
The authors concluded that olive oil may protect against stroke, though they stopped short of saying that an oil-rich diet lowers risk.
