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PubMed2000

A multicenter case-control study of diet and lung cancer among non-smokers.

OBJECTIVE: We have examined the role of dietary patterns and specific dietary nutrients in the etiology of lung cancer among non-smokers using a multicenter case-control study. METHODS: 506 non-smoking incident lung cancer cases were identified in the eight centers along with 1045 non-smoking controls. Dietary habits were assessed using a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire administered by personal interview. Based on this information, measures of total carotenoids, beta-carotene and retinol nutrient intake were estimated. RESULTS: Protective effects against lung cancer were observed for high consumption of tomatoes, (odds ratio (OR) = 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-0.6), lettuce (OR = 0.6; 95% CI 0.3-1.2), carrots (OR = 0.8; 95% CI 0.5-1.1), margarine (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-0.8) and cheese (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-1.0). Only weak protective effects were observed for high consumption of all carotenoids (OR = 0.8; 95% CI 0.6-1.0), beta-carotene (OR = 0.8; 95% CI 0.6-1.1) and retinol (OR = 0.9; 95% CI 0.7-1.1). Protective effects for high levels of fruit consumption were restricted to squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.4-1.2) and small cell carcinoma (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.4-1.2), and were not apparent for adenocarcinoma (OR = 0.9; 95% CI 0.6-1.3). Similarly, any excess risk associated with meat, butter and egg consumption was restricted to squamous and small cell carcinomas, but was not detected for adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence suggests that the public health significance of increasing vegetable consumption among the bottom third of the population would include a reduction in the incidence of lung cancer among lifetime non-smokers by at least 25%, and possibly more. A similar protective effect for increased fruit consumption may be present for squamous cell and small cell lung carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Lifestyle modification as a means to prevent and treat high blood pressure.

High BP is one of the most important and common risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and renal disease. The contemporary approach to the epidemic of elevated BP and its complications involves pharmacologic treatment of hypertensive individuals and "lifestyle modification," which is beneficial for both nonhypertensive and hypertensive persons. A substantial body of evidence strongly supports the concept that lifestyle modification can have powerful effects on BP. Increased physical activity, a reduced salt intake, weight loss, moderation of alcohol intake, increased potassium intake, and an overall healthy dietary pattern, termed the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, effectively lower BP. The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and is reduced in fat and cholesterol. Other dietary factors, such as a greater intake of protein or monounsaturated fatty acids, may also reduce BP but available evidence is inconsistent. The current challenge to health care providers, researchers, government officials, and the general public is developing and implementing effective clinical and public health strategies that lead to sustained lifestyle modification.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1984

Effects of feeding pattern and dietary regimen on growth and adipose tissue cellularity in polygenic obese mice.

The effect of varying feed intake and feeding pattern during the early postweaning period on growth, body composition and adipose tissue cellularity was studied in polygenic obese and control normal mice. Male mice were assigned to the following dietary treatments at 4.5 wk of age: stock diet fed ad libitum(AL), four palatable foods cafeteria-fed(CF), stock diet fed every 2 h by automatic feeders adjusted for maximum intake(MI), fed same procedure as MI but restricted to produce 70% of the gain of mice fed ad libitum(RE), and stock diet fed one meal/d the same amount fed RE mice(PM). Mice were killed after 5 wk on treatment. Cafeteria-fed control mice were heavier (P less than .05) than RE control mice, but they were not different (P greater than .05) from AL, MI and PM control mice, while CF obese mice were heavier and RE obese mice were smaller than AL, MI and PM obese mice (P less than .05). Cafeteria-fed mice were fatter than mice from all other treatments in both the obese and control lines. Maximum intake, PM and RE mice were fatter than AL mice but this effect was only significant in the obese line. Alterations in feeding pattern can affect body composition even though body weight may not show a correlated response. Cafeteria-fed obese mice had larger fat pads and more small (less than 40 micron) and large (greater than 110 micron) adipocytes than other obese mice. Results indicate that the difference in the development of obesity on cafeteria diet was due primarily to genetic effects while the increase in percentage fat after restriction on MI, PM and RE treatments was due mainly to the acute change of feeding pattern.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chemo- and dietary prevention of colorectal cancer.

Because of the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with colorectal cancer, and the limitations and costs of treating this disease, prevention remains a desirable (if elusive) goal. In this paper, we discuss both chemo- and dietary prevention strategies for colorectal cancer, recognising the overlap and cross-fertilisation between these two approaches. Chemopreventive compounds are drugs and are developed for clinical use like other pharmaceuticals. A formal sequential multi-phase programme for development of chemopreventive agents has been instituted by the National Cancer Institute, U.S.A. This involves both preclinical efficacy and clinical studies. Such studies increasingly employ preneoplastic intermediate markers (such as proliferation measures) as well as neoplastic adenomas as endpoints. Promising chemopreventive agents include calcium, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins (such as vitamin E and folate), 2-dimethylfluorornithine (DFMO), oltipraz and ursodeoxycholic acid. Several lines of evidence implicate diet in colorectal carcinogenesis. Key hypotheses in diet and colorectal cancer (which are amenable to prevention, research and action), in addition to those pertaining to the micronutrient chemopreventives, include dietary fat and fibre, food mutagens, red meat, and overall low-fat, high-fibre, high fruit and vegetable dietary patterns and cuisines. Several adenomatous polyp recurrence studies with fibre supplement, macronutrient or dietary pattern interventions have been undertaken internationally. We review early findings from this new generation of studies, and anticipate the future results from these investigations and the ambitious Women's Health initiative in the U.S.A. Results from these studies may convert the promise of colorectal cancer prevention into reality.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

Nutritional influences on dietary selection patterns of obese and lean Zucker rats.

Little is known about the behavioral, nutritional, and metabolic events that control dietary intake quality. Two experiments are described that manipulate nutritional conditions that have been hypothesized to affect dietary item choice so as to assess what effect, if any, the added factor of genetic obesity has in modifying the response to these manipulations. In the first experiment, 5 week old male obese and lean Zucker rats were fed a diet that varied in protein content (10%, 20%, or 60% casein by weight) for ten weeks. They were then allowed to select a diet from three separate macronutrient sources (casein, starch, or corn oil). Although body weights at the end of the 10 week maintenance period were markedly different, selection patterns were not influenced by pre-feeding different levels of protein. Obese rats selected a diet that was higher in fat and lower in protein than the diets composed by lean rats. In the second experiment, four groups of 7 month old obese and lean Zucker rats were given access to one of four diets that varied in protein content (5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% casein by weight). In addition, each rat was periodically given access to a 32% sucrose solution. Access to sucrose promoted increases in total caloric intake, independent of the protein content of the diet. Obese rats typically ate more calories per day than did their lean littermates. Results from these experiments suggest that food item selection is determined more by factors associated with obesity than by factors associated with dietary history.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A molecular epidemiology project on diet and cancer: the EPIC-Italy Prospective Study. Design and baseline characteristics of participants.

EPIC-Italy is the Italian section of a larger project known as EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), a prospective study on diet and cancer carried out in 10 European countries. In the period 1993-1998, EPIC-Italy completed the recruitment of 47,749 volunteers (15,171 men, 32,578 women, aged 35-65 years) in 4 different areas covered by cancer registries: Varese (12,083 volunteers) and Turin (10,604) in the Northern part of the country; Florence (13,597) and Ragusa (6,403) in Central and Southern Italy, respectively. An associate center in Naples enrolled 5,062 women. Detailed information for each individual volunteer about diet and life-style habits, anthropometric measurements and a blood sample was collected, after signing an informed consent form. A food frequency questionnaire specifically developed for the Italian dietary pattern was tested in a pilot phase. A computerized data base with the dietary and life-style information of each participant was completed. Blood samples were processed in the same day of collection, aliquoted (RBC, WBC, serum and plasma) and stored in liquid nitrogen containers. Follow-up procedures were validated and implemented for the identification of newly diagnosed cancer cases. Cancer incidence was related to dietary habits and biochemical markers of food consumption and individual susceptibility in order to test the role of diet-related exposure in the etiology of cancer and its interaction with other environmental or genetic determinants. The comparability of information in a prospective study design is much higher than in other studies. The availability of such a large biological bank linked to individual data on dietary and life-style exposures also provides the unique opportunity of evaluating the role of selected genotypes involved in the metabolism of chemical compounds and DNA repair, potentially related to the risk of cancer, in residents of geographic areas of Italy characterized by specific cancer risk and different dietary patterns. Baseline characteristics of participants are briefly described.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The DASH diet and sodium reduction improve markers of bone turnover and calcium metabolism in adults.

Dietary strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis focus on increased intake of calcium and vitamin D. Modification of whole dietary patterns and sodium reduction may also be effective. We examined the effects of two dietary patterns and three sodium levels on bone and calcium metabolism in a randomized feeding study. A total of 186 adults, aged 23-76 y, participated. After a 2-wk run-in period, participants were assigned randomly to diets containing three levels of sodium (50, 100 and 150 mmol/d) to be consumed for 30 d in random order. Serum osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), fasting serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), urinary sodium, potassium, calcium and cAMP were measured at baseline and at the end of each sodium period. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet reduced serum OC by 8-11% and CTX by 16-18% (both P < 0.001). Urinary calcium excretion did not differ between subjects that consumed the DASH and control diets. Reducing sodium from the high to the low level significantly decreased serum OC 0.6 microg/L in subjects that consumed the DASH diet, fasting serum PTH 2.66 ng/L in control subjects and urinary calcium 0.5 mmol/24 h in both groups. There were no consistent effects of the diets or sodium levels on urinary cAMP. In conclusion, the DASH diet significantly reduced bone turnover, which if sustained may improve bone mineral status. A reduced sodium intake reduced calcium excretion in both diet groups and serum OC in the DASH group. The DASH diet and reduced sodium intake may have complementary, beneficial effects on bone health.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Identification of a food pattern characterized by high-fiber and low-fat food choices associated with low prospective weight change in the EPIC-Potsdam cohort.

The aim of the study was to identify a dietary pattern predictive of subsequent annual weight change by using dietary composition information. Study subjects were 24,958 middle-aged men and women of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam cohort. To derive dietary patterns, we used the reduced rank regression method with 3 response variables presumed to affect weight change: fat density, carbohydrate density, and fiber density. Annual weight change was computed by fitting a linear regression line to each person's body weight data (baseline, and 2- and 4-y follow-up) and determining the slope. In linear regression models, the pattern score was related to annual weight change. We identified a food pattern of high consumption of whole-grain bread, fruits, fruit juices, grain flakes/cereals, and raw vegetables, and of low consumption of processed meat, butter, high-fat cheese, margarine, and meat to be predictive of subsequent weight change. Mean annual weight gain gradually decreased with increasing pattern score (P for trend < 0.0001), i.e., subjects scoring high for the pattern maintained their weight or gained significantly less weight over time compared with subjects with an opposite pattern. However, the prediction of annual weight change by the food pattern was significant only in nonobese subjects. In this study population, we identified a food pattern characterized by high-fiber and low-fat food choices that can help to maintain body weight or at least prevent excess body weight gain.

Body Weight↗
PubMed2006

Nutritional influence on risk of high blood pressure in Bangladesh: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The nutritional determinants of hypertension in Bangladesh and other low-income countries are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the associations of general hypertension with nutrient intakes and diet patterns in Bangladesh. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 11 116 participants enrolled in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Bangladesh. Dietary intakes were measured by use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Three major dietary patterns were identified by using principal component analysis: 1) the "balanced" pattern, which was characterized by rice, some meat, small fish, fruit, and vegetables; 2) the "animal protein" pattern, which was more heavily weighted on meat, milk, poultry, eggs, bread, large fish, and fruit; and 3) the "gourd and root vegetable" pattern, which consisted largely of squashes and root and leafy vegetables. Adjusted prevalence odds ratios for general hypertension in increasing quintiles of balanced pattern scores were 1.00 (reference), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79, 0.97), 0.82 (0.68, 0.97), 0.79 (0.66, 0.94), and 0.71 (0.59, 0.85) (P for trend < 0.01). Prevalence odds ratios for general hypertension in increasing quintiles of animal protein pattern scores were 1.00 (reference), 1.30 (1.01, 1.52), 1.20 (1.01, 1.47), 1.22 (1.00, 1.44), and 1.21 (1.03, 1.49) (P for trend = 0.23). Markers of high socioeconomic status were positively associated with the animal protein pattern. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the importance of dietary patterns in general hypertension in a low-income population undergoing the early stage of the epidemiologic transition.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Relation between passive smoking at home and dietary intake].

To investigate confounding factors in the relation of passive smoking to diseases, we compared the dietary intake of passive smokers, non-smokers without passive smoke exposure, and smokers. The subjects were female respondents to a baseline survey, which was conducted as part of a collaborative cohort study in a rural area. Of the subjects, 101 females were smokers. A total of 1978 female non-smokers answered the question about passive smoking exposure at home, including 1,392 (70.4%) passive smokers and 586 (29.6%) non-passive smokers. Among these three groups, the dietary intake of 36 foods (frequency and amount) was compared by odds ratios calculated with a logistic regression model. The percentages of subjects reporting frequent intake of milk or milk products, carrot or pumpkin, tomatoes, oranges, and fruits except oranges, were significantly lower in passive smokers than in non-passive smokers (OR = 0.80, 0.74, 0.80, 0.77, 0.79). On the other hand, more subjects in passive smokers reported frequent or large intake of pork, salt pickled vegetables, soy sauce pickled foods, soft drinks, coffee, and moso soup (OR = 1.38, 1.53, 1.32, 1.73, 1.30, 1.33). The dietary pattern of passive smokers was similar to that of smokers. In conclusion, in this study, passive smokers had different dietary patterns from non-passive smokers'. In future research regarding disease with passive smoking exposure, dietary factors should be considered as a confounder.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) clinical trial: implications for lifestyle modifications in the treatment of hypertensive patients.

Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss, sodium restriction, and limiting alcohol consumption, are important components of the initial treatment of hypertensive patients. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study investigated the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure in individuals with diastolic blood pressure between 80-95 mmHg. Two different dietary patterns were tested in this feeding study. A diet enriched in fruits and vegetables and a diet enriched in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in total and saturated fat (combination diet) were compared with a control diet. Dietary intake was adjusted so that participants did not lose weight, and all study diets had comparable sodium intake (approximately 3 grams/day). All meals were provided for 459 participants for an 11-week period. Those randomized to the combination diet (n = 151) had a significant change in systolic (-5.5 mmHg; p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (-3.0 mmHg; p < 0.001) after subtracting the response to the control diet (n = 154). The fruits-and-vegetables diet (n = 154) produced a significant but lesser decrease in blood pressure (systolic, -2.8 mmHg; p < 0.001 and diastolic, -1.1 mmHg; p = 0.07). Hypertensive individuals and African Americans had particularly favorable responses with blood pressure reductions, which were significantly greater than other subgroups. The combination diet was well-accepted and adherence to the diet was high (>90%) for all participants. The DASH combination diet is an effective lifestyle modification for lowering blood pressure in patients with high-normal or Stage 1 hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The role of dietary factors in cancer prevention: beyond fruits and vegetables.

Cancer, a disease resulting from dysregulated cell growth control, is caused by an interaction of dietary, genetic, and environmental risk factors. Dietary factors, including physical activity, may contribute to approximately one-third of all cancers. This meta-review summarizes dietary factor and cancer risk associations and makes specific dietary recommendations to reduce risk of specific cancers. The evidence supporting specific dietary recommendations to reduce the risk of cancer is heterogeneous in its strength and consistency. Prospective epidemiologic studies have provided strong evidence supporting regular physical activity and minimal adult weight gain to lower risk of colorectal and breast cancer. The strongest evidence linking specific foods to decrease risk of certain cancers includes the consumption of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Secondary prevention trials and observational prospective epidemiologic studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern to decrease risk of both cancer and cardiovascular diseases. We recommend the adoption of dietary patterns emphasizing regular physical activity, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products to all people at risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. These recommendations may be incorporated into enjoyable cultural food patterns as exemplified by Mediterranean-type diets. The preparation and enjoyment of meals in a convivial atmosphere is a vital component of lifestyles to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and certain cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1991

Dietary fiber and cancer prevention.

A large body of literature suggests that eating a variety of foods containing high fiber has a protective effect against colon cancer. Evidence also indicates that a high fiber-containing diet may be protective against breast, ovary, endometrial, and gastrointestinal cancer. The focus of this review is the epidemiologic data for an inverse association between a high-fiber diet and risk for the previously mentioned cancers. Epidemiologic studies are categorized as international, within country, metabolic, time trend, case control, and cohort. Since 1980, 32 studies have assessed the role of fiber-containing foods in relation to colon cancer. Among these studies, 25 showed an inverse association. Of the seven case-control studies, which evaluated the relationship between the fiber-rich diet and breast cancer, six demonstrated an inverse association. For cancers of the esophagus, mouth, pharynx, stomach, rectum, endometrium, and ovary, there are only a limited number of studies, most showing a protective effect from eating a diet high in fiber-containing foods. The epidemiologic studies reviewed previously focus on dietary patterns in which fiber-rich foods usually occur as a complex mixture with other foods and food components, thus making it difficult to assess at this time if the protection is clearly from fiber per se or some other dietary component, such as low fat. For cancer prevention, the emphasis for dietary recommendation should be on a dietary pattern rather than on an isolated dietary fiber supplement.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Drug utilization and nutrition patterns among children from indigent and emigrant families in Crete, Greece.

AIM: To examine pharmaceutical needs, prescribed drugs, knowledge about pharmacotherapy and dietary patterns among indigent children. PATIENTS: 101 children (< or =18 y old), typically poor, from low-income families and emigrants coming back home from other countries, registered under Social Care in Chania, Crete. The control group comprised 81 Social Security insured children (< or =18 y old). The length of the study was from January 1995 to December 1997. RESULTS: The socio-demographic profile of the Social Care children reveals a no schooling rate of 9.7% vs 0% of the control group. The most common disease diagnosed in the indigent children was bronchitis (18.5%) compared with respiratory infection (14.6%) in the control group. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 2.0% of the Social Care indigent children and in none of the insured children. The most frequently prescribed drug category in both groups as Defined Daily Doses (D.D.D.) was for the respiratory system (32.4% vs 21.2%), while antibiotics were the most expensive (41.6% in the indigent vs 54.9% in the control group). Only 27.4% of Social Care indigent patients, versus 51.2% of insured patients, understood the instructions regarding the proper use of their drugs. Regarding the dietary patterns, significant differences were found in the consumption of breakfast every day (73.7% vs 87.7%), red meat > or =4 per week (0% vs 6.3%) and fruits often (60.1% vs 75.0%). CONCLUSION: The present study emphasises the need for more information on drug use and the necessity for a continuing health educational intervention among indigent children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Reducing hypertensive cardiovascular disease risk of African Americans with diet: focus on the facts.

Hypertension is more common and more severe in African Americans than in other population groups in the United States, placing them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and end-stage renal disease. Whereas past efforts to reduce blood pressure (BP) via the diet centered on manipulating isolated nutrients, there are now conclusive data demonstrating that it is not single dietary components but the overall dietary pattern that has the greatest influence on BP. A nutritionally complete diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods has been clearly proven to significantly lower BP in all population groups. This diet, commonly referred to as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, has been tested in randomized, controlled trials emphasizing African American populations and documented the greatest beneficial effects in hypertensive African Americans. Improving diet quality has been shown to be simply implemented without adverse effects such as symptoms of lactose maldigestion. It is also known to beneficially affect other cardiovascular risk factors and is in keeping with dietary recommendations for prevention of some cancers and osteoporosis. This paper reviews the current data relating dietary patterns to BP control, and advocates dietary recommendations that can accomplish their intended objective of enhancing the health of Americans by promoting safe, feasible, and proven-effective means of doing so. In the case of hypertension prevention and treatment, and thus the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk, overall diet quality should be the primary focus of nutritional recommendations.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1993

DNA pattern and dietary habits in patients with breast cancer.

An association between dietary fat, micronutrients and breast cancer aetiology and prognosis has been found in studies of experimental animals and in epidemiological studies. The relationship between dietary habits and the nuclear DNA content of breast cancer cells was studied in 82 women aged 50-65 years. A dietary history interview was conducted within 4 months following surgery. Patients having tumours with euploid DNA pattern reported lower mean intake of saturated fatty acids (FA) in absolute terms, lower mean intake of total fat, saturated FA, and monounsaturated FA, in percentage of total energy intake (E%), a higher E% from protein, and a higher intake of vitamin D, and selenium per 10 MJ than did patients having tumours with aneuploid DNA pattern. In the stepwise logistic regression analysis, the multivariate odds ratios (OR) for having a tumour with aneuploid DNA pattern was 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.28) for each 1 g increase in intake of total fat (E%) and 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.99) for each mg increase in selenium intake per 10 MJ. When total fat was substituted with types of fat, the OR for having a tumour with aneuploid DNA pattern was 1.30 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.59) for each 1 g increase in intake of saturated FA (E%). These results suggest a correlation between a diet rich in fat and protein and the DNA content of breast cancer cells.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Nutrition for toddlers: the foundation for good health--1. toddlers' nutritional needs: what are they and are they being met?

Changing lifestyles and dietary patterns over the last 20 years have conspired to increase a number of imbalances in the dietary patterns of the toddler population in the UK. The risk of the development of nutritionally-related diseases such as obesity and iron deficiency anaemia are a cause for concern. In this review, the paradox of falling levels of energy intake against a backdrop of rising levels of obesity is explored. New areas of research are highlighted, the findings of which have the potential to enhance the health and well-being of toddlers. Part 1 of the review considers current nutritional recommendations for toddlers and whether they are being met. Part 2, to be published in issue 15(3) of Journal of Family Health Care, will consider issues of particular concern, including the influence of contemporary lifestyles; dietary imbalances; obesity; and iron deficiency anaemia. Practical steps will be suggested to prevent obesity and iron deficiency anaemia.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Optimal dietary habits for the prevention of stroke.

Diet may influence stroke risk via several mechanisms, but the optimal dietary habits for stroke prevention are not well established. We reviewed English-language MEDLINE publications from January 1979 through November 2004 for experimental, observational, and clinical studies of dietary factors (minerals, fats, cholesterol, fish, animal protein, fiber, whole grains, carbohydrate quality, fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, B vitamins, dietary patterns) and risk of stroke or hypertension, the principal modifiable stroke risk factor. A total of 121 publications were selected based on relevance and quality of design and methods. Diets low in sodium and high in potassium lower blood pressure which will likely reduce stroke risk. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, folate, and fatty fish are each likely to reduce stroke risk. A prudent or traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern, which incorporates these individual dietary components as well as intake of legumes and olive oil, may also prevent stroke. Evidence is limited or inconsistent regarding optimal levels of dietary magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, total fat, other fat subtypes, cholesterol, carbohydrate quality, or animal protein for stroke prevention. A diet low in sodium, high in potassium, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereal fiber, and fatty fish will likely reduce the incidence of stroke. Further research is needed regarding the possible effects of other major dietary factors on stroke risk.

Animals↗