HomeLifestyleHealth & FitnessNamed foods that reduce the risk of stroke

Named foods that reduce the risk of stroke

Published on

To prevent a stroke, there are a number of healthy eating habits that you can incorporate into your life. This does not guarantee that you will never have a stroke, but it does lower your chances.

Many individuals are aware that eating a balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight and minimize your risk of heart disease. A good diet can help lower your chances of having a stroke. The Stroke Association, for example, explains:

“You may be aware that a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. You might not realise that healthy eating also lowers your chances of having a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).”

Strokes are caused by two main factors, according to the health organization:

Ischaemic – a condition in which the blood supply is cut off due to a blood clot, which accounts for 85 percent of all cases.
And a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts, causing haemorrhage.

“Eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 30%,” according to the Stroke Association (SA).

“Every extra portion you eat reduces your risk even further. Try gradually increasing the number of portions you eat. You could start taking a piece of fruit to work, add a salad to your lunch or try making a simple homemade vegetable soup.”

The SA adds one portion weighs 80g, and for fruit, “this could be an apple or two plums, a handful of berries, or three heaped tablespoons of fruit salad”.

According to the charity, the mineral potassium can help prevent high blood pressure, and increasing your potassium levels by eating more fruits and vegetables is an excellent method to do so.

The charity recommends: “Aim to eat some protein every day. It can be found in oily fish, beans, peas, pulses, nuts and seeds.”

It explains: “Your body needs small amounts of protein every day. Protein is found in meat, fish, beans and pulses, and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.

“Aim to eat lean cuts of meat and take the skin off poultry whenever possible to reduce the amount of fat.”

Although it is recommended that you eat any type of fish at least once a month to reduce your risk of stroke, you should only eat one or two servings per week, one of which should be oily fish, “due to small amounts of pollutants found in fish, you should eat no more than four portions per week,” according to the health body.

“Aim to eat some protein every day. It can be found in oily fish, beans, peas, pulses, nuts and seeds.”

SA explains: “Your body needs small amounts of protein every day. Protein is found in meat, fish, beans and pulses, and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.

“Aim to eat lean cuts of meat and take the skin off poultry whenever possible to reduce the amount of fat.”

You may need to reduce the salt in your diet, “ideally to no more than 1,500 milligrams a day.

Image Credit: Getty

You were reading: Named foods that reduce the risk of stroke

Latest articles

Here’s How and When Mount Everest-sized ‘Devil Comet’ Can Be Seen With Naked Eye

Mount Everest sized Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as "devil comet" which is making its...

Something Fascinating Happened When a Giant Quantum Vortex was Created in Superfluid Helium

Scientists created a giant swirling vortex within superfluid helium that is chilled to the...

The Science of Middle-aged Brain and the Best Thing You Can Do to Keep it Healthy, Revealed

Middle age: It is an important period in brain aging, characterized by unique biological...

Science Shock: Salmon’s Food Choices Better at Reducing Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Salmon: Rich in Health Benefits, Yet May Offer Less Nutritional Value - This is...

More like this

Here’s How and When Mount Everest-sized ‘Devil Comet’ Can Be Seen With Naked Eye

Mount Everest sized Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as "devil comet" which is making its...

Something Fascinating Happened When a Giant Quantum Vortex was Created in Superfluid Helium

Scientists created a giant swirling vortex within superfluid helium that is chilled to the...

The Science of Middle-aged Brain and the Best Thing You Can Do to Keep it Healthy, Revealed

Middle age: It is an important period in brain aging, characterized by unique biological...