We aimed to evaluate the association between the milk consumption and incident stroke in a Japanese population, where milk consumption is lower than that of Western countries. In total, 14,121 participants (4253 men and 9868 women) aged 40–69 years, free from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were prospectively followed for 10.7 years. Participants were categorized into four groups according to the milk intake frequency obtained from a brief-type self-administered diet questionnaire. The adjusted HRs of total stroke, ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke associated with milk intake frequency were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. During the follow-up, 478 stroke cases were detected (208 men and 270 women). Compared to women with a milk intake of <2 cups/week, those with an intake of 7 to <12 cups/week had a significantly low risk of ischemic stroke in a model adjusting CVD risk factors; the HR (95% CI) was 0.53 (0.32–0.88). No significant associations were found in men. This study suggested that milk intake of 7 to <12 cups/week decreased the risk of ischemic stroke in Japanese women. Milk intake of about 1 to <2 cups/day may be effective in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke in a population with low milk intake.

High fructose consumption is a risk factor for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive and memory impairment. To determine if fructose intake might affect memory function independently of diabetes development, we investigated the effects of monosaccharides on memory in prediabetic state. We examined whether 2.5% apple juice solution could influence cognitive function in salt-sensitive Dahl rats using passive avoidance methods. Furthermore, we examined the role of monosaccharides intake in cognitive function and oxidative stress in the brain. Four-week consumption of either apple juice or 2.5% fructose did not affect the blood glucose concentrations; however, apple juice, but not fructose, significantly decreased cognitive function compared with that of control rats given water. Second, Wistar rats aged 4 weeks were assigned to four groups given water, or 1.25% glucose, or fructose, or galactose solutions for 11 weeks. The fructose group had only slightly higher blood glucose concentrations than the control group. However, memory function engraved at age of 7 weeks and evaluated for 8 weeks in a passive avoidance test, was significantly decreased in the fructose and galactose groups compared with those in the glucose group. Oxidative stress in the brain, assessed by the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content, was significantly increased in the fructose group compared with that in the control group, and the decrease in cognitive function significantly correlated with the MDA content. These findings suggest that long-term apple juice consumption decreases memory function, possibly through an increase in oxidative stress in the brain, in turn induced by fructose overloading. Fructose-induced cognitive dysfunction is likely mediated by mechanisms other than insulin resistance.