Stroke ranks as the second-leading cause of death worldwide as well as the third-leading cause of death and disability combined.1 Women have a greater lifetime risk of stroke than men—in part because women live longer, on average, than men do, and because stroke risk in women rises sharply after menopause.2 A substantial body of evidence shows that the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) reduces stroke risk in both women and men, but little has been published on the MeDi’s effects by stroke type in women.3 Inthe US, about 80% of strokes are ischemic—a clot blocks blood flow to or within the brain—and the remainder are hemorrhagic, in which a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds.4 The journal Neurology Open Access
Greatest effects among postmenopausal women Closely following the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi), which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, limited lean protein, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts, has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including several forms of cancer. Numerous studies have shown associations between lower breast cancer risk in women and MeDi adherence. To clarify whether the the MeDi exerts a significant effect on breast cancer risk, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis that compiled and analyzed the existing evidence across a large international group of studies. Methods: After a comprehensive literature search, 31 high-quality observational studies were selected for the final analysis (12 cohort studies and 19 case-control studies). Studies