People with cardiovascular diseases who have suffered a cerebrovascular accident, such as a stroke, could avoid going through it again by following the Mediterranean diet. This has been revealed by a study carried out by members of the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), the Reina Sofía University Hospital, the University of Córdoba and the CIBEROBN.
The research analyzed 1,002 patients between the ages of 20 and 76 with coronary disease who had to adopt a series of changes in their diet, towards a Mediterranean diet or towards a low-fat diet. The follow-up time was seven years in which an attempt was made to assess the appearance of major cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, ischemic cerebrovascular accident (stroke), revascularization (catheterization, bypass…), peripheral arterial disease and cardiovascular death.
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of death in the world, and lifestyle is key in its incidence, especially diet. Following a low-fat diet, rich in complex carbohydrates, or a Mediterranean diet, with beneficial monounsaturated fats such as virgin olive oil), have proven to be effective in the primary prevention of high-risk patients who have not yet developed cardiovascular disease.
Better results of the Mediterranean diet in men
This study, which has been published in The Lancet, is the first to demonstrate the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet in patients with cardiovascular disease. According to the data provided, the study focused on 198 participants, 87 of whom followed the Mediterranean diet and 111 a low-fat diet.
Despite the differences found between the Mediterranean diet and the low-fat diet, both had beneficial effects on cardiovascular health
The results showed that the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in both groups of diets was lower than usual in people with cardiovascular diseases, specifically 25% in a period of five years. This could mean that, despite the differences found in the results of the two types of diet, both had good effects on cardiovascular health.
Interestingly, the researchers found better results for men, with the Mediterranean diet causing almost 35% more beneficial effects than the low-fat diet. It is not yet known what could be the cause, but they urge that this relationship be studied further in future trials.
The Mediterranean diet was shown to be better than the low-fat diet in preventing myocardial infarction, revascularization, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and cardiovascular death. These findings support the use of the Mediterranean diet, based on fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals, among others, as a method of preventing strokes, especially in those who have already suffered them.
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