Can a Single Meal Increase Your Risk for a Stroke?

A single high-fat meal can have an immediate, negative impact on your brain and heart health.

A recent study shows that a single high-fat meal can impair blood flow to the brain and reduce systemic vascular function in both young and older adults. These impairments are known risk factors for stroke and dementia. (The study only included male participants, which limits the generalizability of the findings.)

The test meal used in the study consisted of predominantly saturated fat that may have contributed to the findings. Too much saturated fat tends to raise levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, inflammation, and subsequently endothelial vascular dysfunction (narrowing of the blood vessels). Excessive saturated fat also contributes to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries from plaque buildup inside them) which increases the risk of cerebrovascular (brain) and cardiovascular (heart) disease.

The study found that these effects were more pronounced in older participants, highlighting the importance of every meal choice for long-term healthspan.