Olive oil reduces the risk of strokes

If you want to reduce your risk of having a stroke, this British scientific breakthrough may just lower your chance of having a stroke by more than a third.

The study showed a diet rich in olive oil lowers a person’s risk of having a stroke.

Figures showed people over 65 who used olive oil for cooking and on salads and bread were 41% less likely to suffer a stroke.

Olive oil, which is said to help unclog arteries, can help protect against other health problems, such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, high-chloesterol and obesity. It also provides a cheaper way of maintaining a healthy heart.

Researchers suggested the breakthrough could help prevent some of the 120,000 strokes suffered by Britons every year.

Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, starving the cells of oxygen and other nutrients.

Strokes can be caused by a blockage or a bleed, and can causes some cells to become damaged and others to die. It can also result in paralysis, loss of speech and blurred vision.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, looked at medical records of 7,625 people aged 65 or older, over a period of five years.

The study’s author, Dr Cécilia Samieri from the University of Bordeaux, France, said the research suggested a new set of dietary recommendations should be issued to prevent stroke in people 65 and older.

“Stroke is so common in older people and olive oil would be an inexpensive and easy way to help prevent it,” Dr Samieri said.

During the research, olive oil consumption was categorised as “no use”, “moderate use” (using olive oil in cooking or as dressing or with bread), and “intensive use,” which included using olive oil for both cooking and as dressing or with bread.

After a little more than five years, there were 148 strokes.

After considering diet, physical activity, body mass index and other risk factors for stroke, the study found those who regularly used olive oil for both cooking and as dressing had a two fifth lower risk of stroke compared to those who never used olive oil in their diet.

Do you see any benefit in olive oil? Tell us what you think about this study in the comment box below.