Cooper Neuroscience Expert Co-Authors Study Linking Healthy Dietary Patterns to Lower Stroke Risk

Research Published in American Heart Association Journal Stroke Finds Mediterranean and MIND Diets Associated With Significantly Reduced Stroke Risk

(CAMDEN, NJ) - Internationally known stroke expert Tudor G. Jovin, MD, PhD, chief of the Department of Neurology at Cooper University Health Care and medical director of Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience, is a co-author of a newly published study in Stroke, a leading journal of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

The study examined how adherence to several widely recognized healthy dietary patterns may influence the risk of stroke. Researchers analyzed data from more than 7,200 adults enrolled in the PREDIMED Trial, a large clinical trial evaluating the effects of diet on cardiovascular health in individuals at high risk for heart disease.

During more than 31,000 person-years of follow-up, researchers documented 135 strokes among participants, including 112 ischemic strokes and 23 hemorrhagic strokes. The analysis found that individuals with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet experienced approximately a 75% lower risk of stroke compared with those with the lowest adherence.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and olive oil, while limiting red meat and processed foods. The MIND diet-short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay-combines elements of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet and places particular emphasis on foods believed to support brain health, such as leafy greens and berries.

"These findings reinforce the important role lifestyle and nutrition can play in preventing stroke, particularly for individuals already at high cardiovascular risk," said Dr. Jovin. "Adopting dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean or MIND diet may significantly reduce the likelihood of stroke and contribute to overall brain and vascular health."

The study also evaluated adherence to the DASH diet and the Planetary Health Diet Index. While those diets showed trends toward lower stroke risk, the strongest associations were observed with the Mediterranean and MIND dietary patterns, particularly for ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke caused by blocked blood flow to the brain.

Researchers noted that the beneficial effects of these dietary patterns may stem from their high levels of antioxidants, healthy fats, fiber, and anti-inflammatory nutrients, which can help improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and vascular function.

The authors concluded that among individuals at high cardiovascular risk, greater adherence to Mediterranean-style and MIND dietary patterns was consistently associated with a lower risk of both total stroke and ischemic stroke.

For more information about the study, visit Stroke, the journal of the American Heart Association.

About Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience brings together the expertise and advanced technology of Cooper University Health Care and Inspira Health to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered neurological and neurosurgical care across South Jersey. The partnership offers access to world-class specialists, leading-edge treatments, and the latest innovations in brain and spine care. To learn more visit: https://neuroscience.cooperandinspira.org/

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