Risk study identifies two common foods that can affect your chances of a stroke

A groundbreaking study has identified 23 factors that are behind a vast majority of stroke cases - with some increasing your chances while others could help you fight it

Experts are decoding the environmental and nutritional impact our modern world has on the rising number of debilitating stroke cases. In a new landmark study that could “alter the trajectory of stroke risk for the next generation”, doctors highlighted why you should be ditching fizzy drinks for oil and eggs.

The landmark study discovered 23 factors which were found to be behind eight in 10 stroke cases. One of the easiest ones people have personal control over is their diet - but it wasn’t just about warning what they should cut out.

Sweetened drinks were found to be one of the leading individual causes behind the staggering increase in stroke cases between 1990 and 2021. Particularly when paired with a diet low in Omega-6 fatty acids, these are believed to boost heart and circulatory health.

These fats can be found in the likes of safflower oil, walnuts, sunflower seeds, tofu, eggs, mayonnaise and almonds. Switching out your sugary foods with these fatty foundations could greatly change your risk of stroke, according to the study published in The Lancet Neurology Journal.

It also found that, during the 31 years between 1990 and 2021, fatal strokes increased by 44% while people suffering a new stroke was up by 70%. Investigating some of the causes, a high body mass index was found to be increasing the global burden of stroke by 88%. High temperatures-linked strokes rose by 72%, high blood sugar by 32% and fizzy drinks by 23%.

Also on the list of substantial increases was low physical activity and high systolic blood pressure. Well-known factors like air pollution, high blood pressure, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol unsurprisingly also made the list of notable factors.

The study’s co-author highlighted that identify these risk factors, which are largely changeable, has provided a “tremendous opportunities to alter the trajectory of stroke risk for the next generation.”

Dr Catherine O. Johnson, Lead Research Scientist at Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation, said: “There is a critical need for interventions focused on obesity and metabolic syndromes. Identifying sustainable ways to work with communities to take action to prevent and control modifiable risk factors for stroke is essential to address this growing crisis.”

She also highlighted society’s role at large to reduce strokes by taking care of the planet: “Given that ambient air pollution is reciprocally linked with ambient temperature and climate change, the importance of urgent climate actions and measures to reduce air pollution cannot be overestimated.”