Tyler TX (KETK) — A study out of Alabama found 20% of Southerners are more likely to have a stroke than the rest of the country.

Fried food usually tastes better with a nice cold glass of sweet tea.

But, the greasy fried goodness increases your chances of getting a stroke.

"Salty foods cause high blood pressure, high sugary foods lead to diabetes which are risk factors of a stroke," said Dietitian Natalie Overstreet.

 Overstreet is a Dietitian over at Trinity Mother Frances.

She says the hospital has at least 30 patients now who had a stroke and a chunk of them are overweight.

Overstreet says people who eat foods high in fat and sugar are more likely to get a stroke.

Foods like bacon and hush puppies are loaded with fat and carbs that can lead to many health problems.

According to studies, people who ate Southern food six times per week had about a 41% higher risk of a stroke, than people who just ate Southern food once per month.

The National Stroke Association says people 55 and older are twice as likely to get a stroke.

But, doctors have been seeing more younger patients suffering with a stroke.

Overstreet says it is due to a person's diet.

"A lot of the stroke patients that i see if they are doing fine after their stroke it does really scare them. They say  I wish I would have known to eat better I  wish I'd known to not smoke if someone told me this would happen to me I'd follow my diet," said Overstreet.

But many East Texans grew up with Southern food and they are not ready to give it up, no matter what health risks might come with it.