JANUARY 2007
Eating soya regularly can reduce the risk of a cerebral haemorrhage by 54%
A scientific study has shown for the first time that consuming high levels of soya can significantly reduce the chance of developing a cerebral haemorrhage. The study, which was carried out in Japan, shows a risk reduction of no less than 54%.
The World Health Organisation’s “Monitoring of trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease” study – the Monica study – shows that the incidence of cerebral haemorrhage varies from population to population and ranges from 3 per 100,000 to 23 per 100,000 per year. As is also the case with heart-disease risks, it is also possible to reduce the risk of cerebral haemorrhage substantially with a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily and physical activity are two important components. Stopping smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol consumed are also crucial.
The Japanese researchers investigated the relationship between several eating factors and the risk of cerebral haemorrhage.
In a case-control study, the eating habits over the five years preceding a cerebral haemorrhage of 201 people were compared with those of 201 ‘healthy’ people. All participants were between 30 and 79 years old. The two groups were identical in age, gender and other risk factors. People who consumed high levels of soya (four or more times per week) showed a significantly reduced risk – 54% -- of a cerebral haemorrhage than people who consumed little or no soya.
Further studies are necessary to provide more definitive results. The researchers see the results as promising: “These findings suggest that a diet that contains many soya products can offer protection against cerebral haemorrhages.”
Several hundred people suffer a cerebral haemorrhage in the UK each year. The consequences can be extremely debilitating.
Source: Okamoto K, Horisawa R. Soy products and risk of an aneurysmal rupture subarachnoid hemorrhage in Japan. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2006;13:284-7. Ingall T, Asplund K, Mahonen M, Bonita R. A Multinational Comparison of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Epidemiology in the WHO MONICA Stroke Study. Stroke 2000;31:1054-61
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