Consumption of nuts and legumes and risk of stroke: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Abstract Background and aim The relationships between dietary nuts and legume intake and risk of stroke are inconsistent. We summarized the evidence by a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Methods and results We systematically searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to 31 January 2014. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary relative risks (SRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. Eight prospective studies with a total of 468,887 subjects and 10,493 stroke events were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a diet containing greater amounts of legumes may be not associated with a lower risk of stroke (SRR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.84–1.08; Pheterogeneity = 0.091, I2 = 43.2%); however, a diet containing greater amounts of nuts may be associated with a lower risk of stroke (SRR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99; Pheterogeneity = 0.527, I2 = 0). Gender significantly modified the effects of nut consumption on stroke risk, and high nut intake was associated with reduced risk of stroke in women (SRR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75–0.97) other than in men (SRR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.82–1.11). Conclusion The current meta-analysis provides some evidences for the hypothesis that high intake of dietary nut was inversely associated with stroke risk, whereas dietary legumes intake was not associated with stroke risk.