Source: Neurology, June 15, 2011;[Epub ahead of print].

Research: Among participants from the Three-City Study with no history of stroke at baseline, researchers examined the association between olive oil consumption (main sample, n=7625) or plasma oleic acid (secondary sample, n=1245) and incidence of stroke (median follow-up 5.25 years), ascertained according to a diagnosis validated by an expert committee.

Results: In the main sample, 148 incident strokes occurred. After adjustment for socio-demographic and dietary variables, physical activity, body mass index, and risk factors for stroke, a lower incidence for stroke with higher olive oil use was observed. Compared to those who never used olive oil, those with intensive use had a 41% lower risk of stroke. In the secondary sample, 27 incident strokes occurred. After full adjustment, higher plasma oleic acid was associated with lower stroke incidence. Compared to those in the first tertile, participants in the third tertile of plasma oleic acid had a 73% reduction of stroke risk.