You can protect yourself from stroke during the old ages if you decide to include olive oil in your diet. This is what researchers at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research, INSERM, have to say. The study suggests that senior people can stay safe from strokes if they consume olive oil.
The researchers considered the medical data of 7,625 people who were at least 65 years of age. The subjects were from three French cities- Bordeaux, Montpellier and Dijon. The subjects did not have a history of stroke. The consumption of olive oil was included under three main categories- "No Use", "Moderate Use" and "Intensive Use".
Use of olive oil in cooking or use as a dressing or consumption with bread were included under the first two categories while using the oil in all of the above ways was referred to as "intensive use". The subjects were found to mainly consume extra virgin olive oil.
Around 148 cases of strokes were reported after a period of five years. Researchers took into account factors like body mass index, physical activity and diet while analyzing the results. They found that individuals who used olive oil for both the purposes (cooking and dressing) had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke in comparison to those who had never used olive oil in any of the two applications.
With the findings, researchers have suggested that a new set of dietary recommendations need to be in place so as to protect individuals 65 and older from strokes. According to study author Cécilia Samieri, "Stroke is so common in older people and olive oil would be an inexpensive and easy way to help prevent it."
