Analysis of 30 years of data from 204 countries has identified lifestyle habits that increase the risk of stroke. Among dietary habits, consuming a lot of sugary drinks and having a diet deficient in omega-6 fatty acids were found to significantly increase the risk of stroke.

 

Stroke is a condition in which blood vessels in the brain become blocked or rupture, leading to damage of brain cells, which can result in serious aftereffects as well as threaten life. The most common cause is blood clots or lipids within the arteries blocking the cerebral blood vessels.

 

Professor Christopher Murray's research team at the University of Washington School of Public Health analyzed stroke data from 204 countries identified from 1990 to 2021. During this period, the number of stroke patients increased by 70%, and the number of deaths due to stroke increased by 44%.

The research team calculated how much 23 risk factors contributed to the development of stroke. The 23 risk factors included ▲ambient fine dust pollution ▲household air pollution ▲low temperature ▲high temperature ▲lead exposure ▲high-sodium diet ▲red meat-rich diet ▲processed meat-rich diet ▲low fruit intake ▲low vegetable intake ▲low whole grain intake ▲alcohol consumption ▲high sugar-sweetened beverage intake ▲low fiber intake ▲low intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids ▲low physical activity ▲smoking ▲secondhand smoke ▲high BMI ▲high fasting blood glucose ▲high systolic blood pressure ▲high LDL cholesterol ▲low glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

 

The results showed that the main factor significantly increasing the burden of stroke over 30 years was a high BMI, which was found to influence 88.2% of the stroke burden. Next were ▲high temperature (72.4%) ▲high fasting blood sugar (32.1%) ▲a diet high in sugary drinks (23.4%) ▲low physical activity (11.3%) ▲high systolic blood pressure (6.7%) ▲lead exposure (6.5%) ▲a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids among polyunsaturated fats (5.3%). Among dietary habits, the consumption of sugary drinks and a deficiency of omega-6 fatty acids were identified as major factors increasing the burden of stroke.

 

Omega-6 fatty acids are mainly found in vegetable oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, and canola oil. However, excessive intake should be avoided. Consuming too much omega-6 can cause blood clots, increasing the risk of stroke. A daily intake of 2000 to 8000 mg is appropriate.

 

The research team confirmed that 84% of strokes are associated with 23 modifiable risk factors and stated that interventions focusing especially on obesity and metabolic syndrome are necessary.

 

Meanwhile, the results of this study were recently published in the international journal 'The Lancet Neurology'.

 

=======================

Omega-6 fatty acids are mainly found in corn oil,

Sunflower oil, peanut oil, canola oil

 

If omega-6 fatty acids are deficient

Stroke... What kind of oil do you use at home?