Can a low-carbohydrate diet reduce the risk of additional strokes?

The current study examined the effects of glycemic index and glycemic load on the risk of strokes.

The ingestion of carbohydrates (which are found in high amounts in foods such as pasta, rice, vegetables, bread and fruits) causes a fast rise in blood glucose (sugar) levels, as carbohydrates are converted to glucose as an energy source for the body. The glycemic index of a food is a measure of how quickly blood glucose rises after ingestion, while the glycemic load is a measurement that takes into account both the glycemic index and the amount of carbohydrates the food contains. Diets that are high in glycemic index or load can lead to high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, and are known to increase the risk of a number of health problems. Diets that are high in glycemic index or load are also assumed to be a risk factor for the development of strokes. However, the association between dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and the risk of strokes has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

In this study, the dietary habits of 44,099 participants were analyzed. Participants completed dietary habit questionnaires as they entered the study, from which the average glycemic index and glycemic load of their diet were calculated. Patient height, weight, fitness level, smoking and medical history were also accounted for.

During the 11 year follow-up, 355 patients (148 men, 207 women) experienced a stroke. A high carbohydrate diet was found, on average, to double the risk of developing a stroke. Diets rich in foods with a high glycemic index increased the risk of stroke by 87%. Specifically, ischemic stroke (stroke due to blockage of an artery) risk was doubled by a high glycemic index diet, while hemorrhagic stroke (stroke due to rupture of an artery) risk was tripled. Diets rich in foods with a high glycemic load more than doubled the risk of developing a stroke.

This study concluded that a diet rich with high glycemic load, or high glycemic index, foods significantly increases the risk of experiencing a stroke.

This study was based on patient provided data through the use of questionnaires, which can be highly subjective.

Consult with your physician regarding the benefits of a low glycemic load diet.