DASH Diet Linked to 76% Lower Stroke Risk in Women, Study Finds
A recent study involving 1,177 older adults, with a median age of 81, has found that women who closely adhered to the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet experienced a 76% lower relative risk of stroke compared to those who followed it less closely. The study, which tracked participants for an average of 6.6 years, focused on individuals who had not previously experienced a stroke. While the DASH diet is well-known for its role in managing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke, this research specifically investigated its potential to protect the brain. Interestingly, the study did not observe the same significant benefit in men. Researchers suggest that hormonal differences, health habits, and variations in how cardiovascular risk factors develop or are managed between sexes could explain this disparity, though the study was not designed to identify these specific reasons.
