Strokes are life-threatening medical emergencies that occur when blood supply to the brain is cut off.
This can be due to a blood vessel in the brain bursting but in the majority of cases it is caused by a blood clot.
If not treated immediately a stroke can prove fatal.
Like many health conditions, diet can play a huge role in your likelihood of suffering a stroke.
For example, foods high in salt are known to push your blood pressure up and raise your risk of strokes, as well as heart attacks.
With this in mind, an expert spoke exclusively with Express.co.uk about foods that could lower your chances of a stroke.
Doctor Deborah Lee, from the Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, recommended following a Mediterranean diet.
She explained: “The key to lowering stroke risk is eating a healthy diet and following a healthy lifestyle. Diet does make a difference.
“A recent 2023 review and meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials compared the effects of six different diets on cardiovascular risk – stroke, heart attack and death.
“The Mediterranean diet came out on top – with seven per 1,000 fewer strokes per 1000, 17 per 1000 fewer heart attacks and 17 per 1,000 fewer deaths in those followed up for five years.”
More specifically, Dr Lee advised changing the type of protein you eat.
“Eat the right protein,” she said. “Choose lean meat, poultry and fish.
“Avoid fatty meat and processed meat.
“Reduce your meat consumption and increase the amount of plant protein in your diet.
“In one study, it was calculated that replacing one red meat meal with chicken reduced the risk of stroke by 27 percent, with fish by 17 percent and with nuts by 17 percent.
“Eat protein at every meal – a high-protein diet helps lower blood pressure.”
What does research say?
The study referenced by Dr Lee was published in Stroke journal in 2012.
As part of the research, scientists studied more than 84,000 women and 43,000 men who were not initially diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease over a time period of up to 26 years.
Diet was assessed repeatedly by a standardised and validated questionnaire.
In that time around 4,000 strokes were reported.
“In multivariable analyses, higher intake of red meat was associated with an elevated risk of stroke, while a higher intake of poultry was associated with lower risk,” the study said.
“These data suggest that stroke risk may be reduced by replacing red meat with other dietary sources of protein.”
If you think someone is experiencing a stroke you should call 999 immediately.
