Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club
heart health

Olive Oil Hunter News #265

Posted on by Katie Partridge

Bountiful Breakfast Bowl Recipe, Spotlight on Spelt, Double Up on Cooking, “Fibermaxxing” and Women and Heart Disease 

Most of us know we should be eating more fiber but lack the motivation to change habits. This edition of the newsletter starts with a delicious way to make a serious dent in your daily fiber intake. The focus is on a whole grain you might not be familiar with — spelt. I’m also sharing a report on why fiber is so important and, finally, why women need to be more aware of their growing heart disease risk (fiber helps lower it, too).

Bountiful Breakfast Bowl

  • Spelt Breakfast Bowls Bountiful Breakfast Bowl

    This high-protein, high-fiber breakfast will get your day off to a nutritious start. To save time in the morning, make the spelt the night before and refrigerate as soon as it reaches room temperature. 

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked spelt
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
    • 2 cups plain, unsweetened skyr or Greek yogurt
    • 2 cups mixed fresh berries or 1/2 cup dried fruit
    • 1/2 cup almonds or cashews
    • 4 tablespoons freshly ground flaxseed

    Directions

    Prepare the spelt according to package directions. When ready to assemble, whisk the olive oil into the yogurt in a bowl. Spoon equal amounts of spelt into four cereal bowls and top with equal amounts of the yogurt mixture, fruit, nuts, and ground flaxseed. 

    Yields 4 servings

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight: Spelt

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight

Spelt

Spelt is a nutrient-dense ancient grain that’s high in fiber (8 grams per cooked cup), protein, and essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc. It also has numerous phytochemicals including lignans and phenolic compounds, which have been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers. According to the NIH, compared to modern wheat, other benefits include improved digestive health, reduced blood sugar spikes, and enhanced heart health (by lowering LDL cholesterol). One caution: Spelt is not suitable for those with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.

Uncooked spelt
Quick Kitchen Nugget: Double Up on Cooking

Quick Kitchen Nugget

Double Up on Cooking

Like other whole grains, spelt can take about 45 minutes to fully cook. While worth the effort, it makes sense to cook up a large batch and divide it over two or three meals. Spelt should be allowed to cool to room temperature before refrigerating—about 20 to 30 minutes—in an airtight glass container. Don’t put steaming-hot grains directly into the refrigerator because this can raise the temperature inside your fridge and compromise other foods. 

For Your Best Health: “Fibermaxxing”

For Your Best Health 

“Fibermaxxing”

Fiber plays a powerful role in keeping the body healthy, from supporting digestion and feeding beneficial gut microbes to helping regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Researchers say getting enough fiber may even lower the risk of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. A growing trend called “fibermaxxing” is putting dietary fiber in the spotlight—and for good reason, according to a report from Tufts University. Fibermaxxing refers to consuming at least the recommended daily amount of fiber each day. The idea has gained traction across social media and traditional media this year. 

Jennifer Lee, PhD, is a scientist withthe Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts, whose research focuses on how shifts in gut health and differences between sexes affect metabolism throughout a person’s life. Dr. Lee says she’s not surprised that fibermaxxing has become popular. In fact, she sees it as a sign that more people are recognizing an important distinction between lifespan and healthspan. Living longer does not necessarily mean living those years in good health, so many people are searching for ways to stay healthier as they age.

“There is a nine-year gap between living to a certain age in good health and then living in poor quality of health at the end of your life,” Dr. Lee explained. “Behavioral or nutritional strategies that can keep someone healthy are very on trend right now.”

Fiber plays a role. Research shows that consistently low fiber intake can contribute to metabolic and cardiovascular problems, including diabetes and obesity. “If you’re not consuming a lot of fiber, you’re possibly consuming calories from other macronutrient groups, and they may be high in carbohydrates or fats, which can lead to weight gain,” Dr. Lee added. “Then, depending on a number of factors that may impact one’s cancer risk, a fiber deficiency may increase your risk for certain cancers, such as colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.” Overall, Dr. Lee explained that adding more fiber to your daily diet tends to produce wide-ranging health benefits.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, published by the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, adults should consume between 22 and 34 grams of fiber each day, depending on age and sex. 

Fiber-rich foods

Dr. Lee noted that dietary fiber falls into two main categories. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and slows digestion, while insoluble fiber helps move waste through the digestive tract.

“Soluble fiber attracts water into your gut and forms a gel-like substance,” Dr. Lee said. “It keeps you full, helps you feel satiated, and once it makes it into the colon, can provide or serve as a substrate for microbiota, meaning your microbiota can metabolize the food that you digest as well. So, this type of fiber serves as a beneficial food source for the microbes.” Soluble fiber can also help regulate blood sugar by slowing digestion and reducing sudden spikes in glucose levels. It may also help lower cholesterol by preventing some cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

“Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will not contribute to the calories you consume,” Dr. Lee said. “The body can’t take up energy from insoluble fiber, but it is critical to consume because it’s the bulk of substrate that helps you have a bowel movement. Because insoluble fiber bulks up your stool, it helps to prevent constipation.”

To maintain a healthy balance, Dr. Lee recommends consuming roughly twice as much insoluble fiber as soluble fiber each day. For example, if your daily goal is 30 grams of fiber, about 20 grams should come from insoluble fiber and 10 grams from soluble fiber. Foods rich in soluble fiber include many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Legumes, beans, and oatmeal are also good sources. Insoluble fiber is commonly found in whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Fitness Flash Icon: Countering Joint Pain

Fitness Flash

Women and Heart Disease 

A new scientific statement published in Circulation, the peer-reviewed flagship journal of the American Heart Association, projects that nearly 6 in 10 women in the United States will be living with some form of cardiovascular disease within the next 25 years. The report, “Forecasting the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050 in Women: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association,” builds on previous research to estimate how common heart disease and stroke may become among women and how much the growing burden could cost if current trends continue.

The rise in cardiovascular disease will be driven largely by a surge in high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. By 2050, nearly 60% of women in the US could have high blood pressure, and close to one in three women ages 22 to 44 may already be living with some form of heart disease. Even children are affected: By 2050, nearly 32% of girls ages 2 to 19 may have obesity, raising concerns about earlier and longer-lasting heart health challenges.

“One in every three women will die from cardiovascular disease — maybe it’s your grandmother, or your mother, or your daughter,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH, FAHA, chair of the volunteer writing group, professor of medicine and public health, and co-director of the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Additionally, more than 62 million women in the US are living with some type of cardiovascular disease and that comes with a price tag of at least $200 billion, annually. Our estimates indicate that if we stay on the current path, these numbers will grow substantially over the next 25 to 30 years.”

Researchers expect increases across every major category of cardiovascular disease in women, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Key drivers such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are also projected to climb.

“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women and remains their #1 health risk overall,” said Stacey E. Rosen, MD, FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health in New York City. “While many people may think conditions like high blood pressure are only occurring in older women, we know this is not the case. We know the factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke begin early in life, even among young women and girls. The impact is even greater among those experiencing adverse social determinants of health such as poverty, low literacy, rural residence, and other psychosocial stressors. Identifying the types of trends outlined in this report is critical to making meaningful changes that can reverse this course.”

There is some positive news. High cholesterol levels are expected to decline across nearly all groups of women. Improvements are also anticipated in several behaviors that influence cardiovascular health, including healthier eating, increased physical activity, and reduced smoking. 

“We know that people are living longer as health conditions are being better managed. As a medical community, we have done a great job decreasing deaths from big cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, but these data suggest that we need to really refocus our efforts on health, wellness, and prevention,” Dr. Joynt Maddox said. “We need to keep girls and women from developing cardiovascular risk factors so that they can live long, healthy lives free of cardiovascular disease, and that means being very intentional about focusing on optimal cardiovascular health across the life course.”

The American Heart Association defines ideal heart health through its Life’s Essential 8™ — four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco, and get healthy sleep) and four health factors (manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar, and manage blood pressure). “These ideal cardiovascular health metrics are based on extensive scientific research that recognizes the majority — as much as 80% — of heart disease and stroke can be prevented,” Dr. Rosen said. “I like to call Life’s Essential 8 a prescription for health. And one of the most exciting things about it is that we have tailored guidance for these metrics for different times in a woman’s life — from childhood through menopause and beyond. This report projects a concerning future; however, it’s not too late to take the first steps to healthier outcomes.” 

Get More Recipes In Your Inbox!

Olive Oil Hunter News #260

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Crabmeat-Stuffed Flounder Recipe, Spotlight on Canned Crab, Skewers and Toothpicks, “Synbiotics” to Slash Inflammation and Statin Side Effects

This elegant seafood recipe is a crowd pleaser and takes little time to prepare at home. It’s also an excellent source of lean protein. I’m sharing a study on how a unique mix of nutrients can quell systemic inflammation, showing the power of certain foods. Also, for anyone who’s worried about the effects of statins, a new research review found these cholesterol-busters don’t have many of the side effects they’ve been associated with.

Crabmeat-Stuffed Flounder

  • Crabmeat-Stuffed Flounder Crabmeat-Stuffed Flounder

    Flounder stuffed with crabmeat is a seafood lover’s dream and my stuffing recipe ticks all the boxes for many specialty diets since I skip the traditional breadcrumbs. 

    Ingredients

    For the crabmeat stuffing:

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the sheet pan and drizzling
    • 1/2 cup chopped onion
    • 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
    • 1/4 cup chopped celery
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tablespoons best-quality mayonnaise
    • 6 ounces crabmeat, preferably lump meat
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika, such as Heirloom Sweet Paprika 
    • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
    • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns, such as Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

    For the flounder:

    • 4 flounder fillets, about 4 to 6 ounces each
    • Four 4” bamboo skewers
    • 1 teaspoon paprika, such as Heirloom Sweet Paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns, such as Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

    Directions

    Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and brush the parchment lightly with olive oil; set aside.

    Step 2

    Heat a sauté pan over medium-high. When hot, add the 2 tablespoons olive oil, onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Then add in the rest of the stuffing ingredients and mix well. 

    Step 3

    Make the roll-ups one at a time directly on the parchment-lined sheet pan to avoid having to transfer them. Place one fillet flat side up at one end of the pan. Scoop 1/4 of the crab mix and place it on the fillet about 2 inches in from the thinner end. Flip that end over the stuffing and roll up the fillet. Secure with a bamboo skewer. Repeat with the remaining fillets. Sprinkle with the paprika, salt, and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

    Step 4

    Bake for 15 minutes, then check to see if the flounder is opaque and firm to the touch. If needed, bake for another 3 to 5 minutes.

    Yields 4 servings

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight: Canned Crab

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight

Canned Crab

Unless you’re buying live crabs to cook yourself, crabmeat comes already cooked, even when it’s labeled fresh and hand-picked. It has a shorter shelf life than canned crabmeat, which is pasteurized. Both should be kept in the fridge. Whereas tub-packed fresh crabmeat should be eaten within a few days of purchase, pasteurized crabmeat will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 year, making it extremely versatile—it’s also typically less expensive. Once either is opened, it should be used right away. 

Quick Kitchen Nugget: Skewers and Toothpicks

Quick Kitchen Nugget

Skewers and Toothpicks

Salmon and grilled zucchini rolls with bamboo skewers

When making food roll-ups, bamboo skewers or toothpicks hold fillings in place, keep the roll-ups tidy, and hold up well in the oven. Bamboo skewers are sturdier than wooden toothpicks and many are designed to look prettier than the average toothpick—important when using them for finger food. Make sure they have one pointy end for easy piercing.

For Your Best Health: “Synbiotics” to Slash Inflammation

For Your Best Health 

“Synbiotics” to Slash Inflammation

A six-week study from the University of Nottingham suggests that pairing kefir with a diverse prebiotic fiber mix may deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory boost. This “synbiotic” combination outperformed omega-3 supplements and fiber alone, leading to the broadest drop in inflammation-related proteins in healthy adults. Participants in the synbiotic group showed lower overall inflammation levels, pointing to improved immune balance and a potentially reduced risk of chronic inflammation-related conditions, like heart disease or other metabolic conditions. The study was published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

The kefir and fiber blend used in the trial was supplied by Chuckling Goat Ltd. It contains a mix of naturally occurring probiotic bacteria and yeasts created during the traditional fermentation of goat’s milk with live kefir grains. These grains are living cultures that contain dozens of beneficial microbial species.

When kefir, which is rich in live microbes, is paired with diverse prebiotic fiber, the result is a synbiotic effect. The fiber serves as fuel for the beneficial bacteria, allowing them to grow and generate helpful compounds such as butyrate, known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects throughout the body.

Future research will examine how these supplements perform in people who already have specific health conditions to better understand their potential benefits. “Our study shows that while all three dietary approaches reduced inflammation, the synbiotic had the most powerful and wide-ranging effects,” said lead author Dr. Amrita Vijay of the School of Medicine at Nottingham. “This suggests that the interaction between beneficial microbes and dietary fiber may be key to supporting immune balance and metabolic health.”

Fitness Flash Icon: Update on Statin Side Effects

Fitness Flash

Update on Statin Side Effects

A large-scale review done by researchers at the University of Oxford found that statins do not cause the vast majority of side effects listed on their labels. Memory problems, depression, sleep issues, weight gain, and many other symptoms appeared just as often in people taking a placebo. Only a few side effects showed any link to statins, and even those were rare.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, responsible for about 20 million deaths each year. Statins are widely prescribed medications that reduce LDL cholesterol and are proven to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems. Despite their strong track record, concerns about possible side effects have led some patients to hesitate or stop treatment.

To better understand the true risks, researchers analyzed data from 23 major randomized studies conducted by the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration. This included 123,940 participants in 19 trials comparing statins with a placebo, along with 30,724 participants in four trials that compared higher-intensity statin therapy with less intensive treatment.

When the researchers reviewed reports of side effects, they found that people taking statins reported nearly the same rates of most symptoms as those taking a placebo. For instance, yearly reports of cognitive or memory problems were 0.2% among statin users and 0.2% among those on placebo. In other words, while some people may experience these symptoms during treatment, the evidence does not show that statins are the cause.

The analysis found no meaningful excess of memory loss or dementia, depression, sleep problems, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, nausea, fatigue, headache, or many other commonly cited concerns. There was a small rise of about 0.1% in abnormal liver blood test results among people taking statins. However, this did not translate into higher rates of serious liver conditions such as hepatitis or liver failure. This suggests that these mild blood test changes typically do not lead to more severe liver disease. The researchers also found that statins can slightly raise blood sugar levels, meaning that individuals already at high risk for diabetes may develop the condition somewhat sooner.

Earlier research from the same team showed that most muscle symptoms reported by patients were not caused by statins. Only about 1% of people experienced muscle symptoms attributable to statin therapy during the first year of use, with no additional excess risk after that. Christina Reith, associate professor at Oxford Population Health and lead author of the study, said, “Statins are life-saving drugs used by hundreds of millions of people over the past 30 years. However, concerns about the safety of statins have deterred many people who are at risk of severe disability or death from a heart attack or stroke. Our study provides reassurance that, for most people, the risk of side effects is greatly outweighed by the benefits of statins.”

Get More Recipes In Your Inbox!

Olive Oil Hunter News #259

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Asparagus Milanese Style Recipe, Spotlight on Asparagus, When to “Close” the Kitchen for the Night and Exercising to Avoid Alzheimer’s

A sure sign of spring is the bundles of asparagus available at farmers’ markets and the produce aisle at your grocery store. I’m sharing a delicious way to enjoy them with a luscious one-pan prep. This issue’s research news offers food for thought: first, the advantages of not eating in the hours before bed for metabolic health and second, the benefits of exercise for brain health. 

Asparagus in the Milanese Style

  • Asparagus Milanese Style Asparagus in the Milanese Style

    Asparagus is so symbolic of spring. And while a simple dish like marinated asparagus is a great way to enjoy it, this recipe turns a side into a satisfying meal for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner. For a heartier meal, double the eggs. I especially love the richness of sautéing the spears in EVOO as well as some butter. 

    Ingredients

    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use, plus more for drizzling
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed (see Quick Kitchen Nugget in newsletter)
    • Coarse sea salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more to garnish
    • 2 large eggs

    Directions

    Step 1

    Heat a large frying pan or skillet until hot, then add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the butter. Sauté the asparagus, rotating the spears frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with a lid to steam them for 2 minutes more. Divide the spears between two plates and top with equal amounts of grated cheese.

    Step 2

    Reheat the pan to medium-high, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once the oil starts to shimmer, add the eggs, one at a time, keeping them as separate as possible—you can crack them right into the pan or into a small bowl, then pour into the pan.

    Step 3

    Cook the eggs for 2 minutes until the whites turn opaque and develop crisp, brown edges. Use an offset spatula to center an egg over the asparagus on each plate. Spoon the olive oil from the pan over the top, drizzle with more olive oil, and sprinkle on more cheese as desired. Serve immediately. 

    Serves 2

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight: Asparagus

Healthy Ingredient Spotlight

Choosing Asparagus

For decades, a debate has raged over what’s tastier, thin or thick asparagus. Surprisingly, according to agricultural experts at Penn State, spears that are larger than half an inch in diameter are more tender and higher in soluble fiber and vitamins than thinner spears. What’s more, marketing thin asparagus as “gourmet” stemmed from the fact that farmers wanted to sell their crops after two rather than three years to stimulate the plant to produce spears faster. At the same time, the shift prompted professional chefs to prefer the visual appeal of thinner spears. Of course, the most important factor is freshness—whichever you choose, look for tips that are tightly closed and stems that are not shriveled. Because asparagus loses moisture fast, aim to use it the day you buy it.

Fresh Asparagus
Quick Kitchen Nugget: Prepping Asparagus

Quick Kitchen Nugget

Prepping Asparagus

Many recipes call for a rack to be placed in the roasting pan to elevate a leg of lamb, turkey, or rib roast, to name a few examples. This allows the oven’s heat to reach (and brown) the entire surface of the food. Clean up can be made easier by first lining the roasting pan with foil, and the rack prevents the meat from touching the foil while it cooks. Putting about an inch of water in the bottom of the pan is done to create steam, which keeps the meat moist and prevents the drippings from burning and negatively affecting the taste of the meat.

For Your Best Health: When to “Close” the Kitchen for the Night

For Your Best Health 

When to “Close” the Kitchen for the Night

Woman choosing snack from fridge at night

A simple shift in your evening routine may give your heart a measurable boost. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine explored whether timing an overnight fast to match a person’s natural sleep-wake cycle could improve heart and metabolic health. The circadian rhythm plays a central role in regulating cardiovascular and metabolic function. For the study, participants did not reduce calories. The focus was entirely on adjusting when they ate. 

The scientists found that middle-aged and older adults at elevated risk for cardiometabolic disease benefited from extending their overnight fasting window by roughly two hours and avoiding food and dimming their lights for three hours before going to sleep. These changes led to measurable improvements in heart and metabolic markers during sleep and throughout the following day.

“Timing our fasting window to work with the body’s natural wake-sleep rhythms can improve the coordination between the heart, metabolism, and sleep, all of which work together to protect cardiovascular health,” said first author Daniela Grimaldi, PhD, research associate professor of neurology in the division of sleep medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“It’s not only how much and what you eat, but also when you eat relative to sleep that is important for the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating,” said corresponding author Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine and chief of sleep medicine in the department of neurology at Feinberg.

Time-restricted eating has grown in popularity because studies suggest it can improve cardiometabolic markers and sometimes match the benefits of traditional calorie-restricted diets. However, most research has concentrated on how long people fast rather than how well that fasting window aligns with sleep timing, which is crucial for metabolic regulation.

With nearly 90% adherence in this trial, the researchers believe anchoring time-restricted eating to the sleep period may be a realistic and accessible non-pharmacological approach, especially for middle-aged and older adults who face higher cardiometabolic risk. The team plans to refine this protocol and expand testing in larger multicenter trials.

Fitness Flash Icon: Exercising to Avoid Alzheimer’s

Fitness Flash

Exercising to Avoid Alzheimer’s

Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified a biological process that may explain why exercise sharpens thinking and memory. The discovery points to a surprising body-to-brain pathway that could inspire new Alzheimer’s disease therapies. 

As people grow older, the blood-brain barrier becomes more fragile. This tightly packed network of blood vessels normally shields the brain from harmful substances circulating in the bloodstream. Over time, however, it can become leaky, allowing damaging compounds to enter brain tissue. The result is inflammation, which is linked to cognitive decline and is commonly seen in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers found that physical activity prompts the liver to release an enzyme called GPLD1. GPLD1 removes a harmful protein responsible for the blood-brain barrier becoming leaky with age, strengthening the brain’s built-in defense system, and helping protect it from age-related damage. Research using older mice showed that dialing down this protein reduced inflammation and improved memory. 

This study builds on the research team’s early discovery that mice that exercised produced higher levels of GPLD1 in their livers. GPLD1 appeared to rejuvenate the brain, but there was a mystery. The enzyme itself cannot cross into the brain, leaving scientists unsure how it delivered its cognitive benefits. The new research provides an answer. It turns out that GPLD1 influences another protein known as TNAP. As mice age, TNAP builds up in the cells that form the blood-brain barrier. This buildup weakens the barrier and increases leakiness. When mice exercise and their livers release GPLD1 into the bloodstream, the enzyme travels to the blood vessels surrounding the brain and removes TNAP from the surface of those cells, helping restore the barrier’s integrity.

“This discovery shows just how relevant the body is for understanding how the brain declines with age,” said Saul Villeda, PhD, associate director of the UCSF Bakar Aging Research Institute and senior author of the paper.

The findings suggest that developing medications capable of trimming proteins such as TNAP could offer a new strategy to restore the blood-brain barrier, even after it has been weakened by aging. “We’re uncovering biology that Alzheimer’s research has largely overlooked,” Dr. Villeda said. “It may open new therapeutic possibilities beyond the traditional strategies that focus almost exclusively on the brain.”

Get More Recipes In Your Inbox!

Mediterranean Diet Can Reduce Risk of Both Stroke Types in Women

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

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 In
the 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 recently published an analysis of data from the California Teachers Study (CTS), which followed more than 130,000 women for more than 25 years, starting in 1995.3 This analysis excluded those with a history of stroke or with missing dietary data, for a total cohort of 105,614 women. Average age at the study’s outset was 52.3

At the start of the study, participants answered a validated dietary questionnaire that asked how often they consumed 103 food and beverage items/groups during the previous year, and in what quantities
(small, medium, large serving size). Responses were converted to a score that reflected adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi), ranging from 0 to 9. Participants were stratified by MeDi scores into low (0–2), moderate (3–5), and high (6–9) MeDi adherence groups: 12.5% low, 57.5% moderate, 30% high.3

MeDi is typically characterized by high intake of fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, with olive oil as the primary source of fat; a moderate intake of fish; and minimal intake of meat and dairy products. Some versions of the MeDi include moderate alcohol consumption.3

During the 25 years of follow-up, the CTS study population experienced a total of 4,083 stroke events: 3,358 ischemic and 725 hemorrhagic.3

Participants with high adherence to the MeDi had a 23% lower overall stroke risk compared with the low-adherence group. When results were adjusted for patient characteristics, including smoking, BMI, and demographics, overall stroke risk was still reduced by 18% with high adherence to the MeDi. Even a one-unit increase in MeDi adherence was associated with a significant decrease in stroke risk.3

When analyzed by stroke subtypes, higher adherence to the MeDi resulted in a significant decrease
in stroke risk for ischemic stroke as well as for hemorrhagic stroke. This effect was seen across premenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women in the study, including participants taking hormone treatment.3

This study, with strengths including a large population, long-range follow-up, and analysis by stroke subtype, adds to the body of evidence of the preventative health benefits of the MeDi and helps identify dietary choices that can help reduce stroke risk in women.3

References: 1. Feigin VL, Brainin M, Norrving B, et al. World Stroke Organization (WSO): Global stroke fact sheet 2022 [published correction appears in Int J Stroke. 2022;17(4):478. doi:10.1177/17474930221080343]. Int J Stroke. 2022;17(1):18–29. 2. Rexrode KM, Madsen TE, Yu, AYX, Carcel C, Lichtman JH, Miller EC. The impact of sex and gender on stroke. Circulation Res. 2022;130(4):512-528. 3. Sherzai AZ, Cuble EL, Spielfogel ES, et al. Mediterranean diet and the risk of stroke subtypes in women. Neurol Open Access. 2026;2:e000062. 4. Prabhakaran S, Gonzales NR, Zachrison KS, et al. 2026 guideline for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 2026; doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000513. Online ahead of print.