Deep-fried foods may be causing trouble in the Deep South. A study finds that people who consume a lot of fried foods and drinks like sweet tea and soda were 41 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than people who ate that way about once a month.

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Researchers say the study might help explain why blacks in the Southeast suffer more strokes. Blacks were five times more likely than whites to have the Southern dietary pattern.

The diet tied to highest stroke risk was heavy on fried foods, hamburgers, hot dogs, bacon, ham, liver, gizzards and sugary drinks. In contrast, people who ate a lot of vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains had a lower stroke risk.

Results were reported Thursday at a stroke conference in Honolulu.