David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

Cut Your Stroke Risk by 25%

22 Apr 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:03

In this brief YouTube monologue, board‑certified neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter cites a retrospective study that found women who followed a Mediterranean‑style diet—rich in colorful vegetables, olive oil, and higher‑fat cheeses—experienced a 25% lower risk of stroke. He emphasizes that stroke and cardiovascular disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality among women, and he extends the diet’s purported benefits to reduced risks of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease overall. Concluding with a practical call‑to‑action, he urges women to increase the color on their plates, use olive oil liberally, and incorporate higher‑fat cheeses as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Chapters

This specific lifestyle change has been associated with a 25% risk reduction in stroke in women. Hi, I'm Dr. David Perlmutter. I am a board-certified neurologist. A new study demonstrates that women who engage in a more Mediterranean diet, a diet that's really one that features a lot of colorful vegetables, things like olive oil, higher-fat cheeses, and those kinds of foods, has been associated with a dramatic risk reduction for stroke in women. And you don't really think about Stroke being a significant issue in women, but cardiovascular disease and stroke are really quite high on the list in terms of what leads to morbidity and mortality in women. So the diet was retrospective, looking back at what women ate, and I am now being prospective in terms of recommending that women pursue this type of diet if they want to reduce their risk of stroke, reduce the risk of breast cancer, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease as well. More Mediterranean, bust out that bottle of olive oil and make sure there's a lot of color on your plate.