An average of five million people deaths around the world every year are a result of strokes. Strokes are the single leading cause of disability in the country and are a serious threat, especially to middle-aged women.
However, just adhering to some basic lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on reducing the risk of a stroke. It has been proved that the best way to avoid getting a stroke is by improving one’s diet. The best diet is a plant-based diet, which works toward reducing the risk of stroke as these foods are rich in fiber. Studies show that there is nearly a 7% drop in the risk of a first-time stroke just by the intake of seven grams of fiber every day.
Also, these foods are packed with antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries, improving the blood flow. It should be considered that plant-based foods actually contain 64 times more antioxidants than animal foods. Let’s take a look at some of the best foods that can keep stroke at bay:
Greens: Greens are a major factor for the prevention of stokes by around 20%. They also offer the strongest protection against major chronic diseases, including heart diseases.
Nuts: The risk of strokes is reduced to half just by adding an ounce of nuts to the everyday diet. This can actually help in preventing a lot of cases of strokes every year.
Chocolate: People who have chocolate seem to have a lower rate of getting a stroke. Specifically, dark chocolate is the best choice as it has high cacao content and fewer dairy products and sugar added to it.
Citrus fruits: The intake of citrus fruits has a strong association with the lowering of stroke risk. Studies have proved that women who consumed more citrus fruits were less likely to get a stroke those who consumed very little.
Garlic: This is a great choice for reducing the risk of stroke, as garlic consumption is said to lower this risk by at least 50%.
Whole grains: Three servings of whole grains per day are recommended for stroke prevention.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain a substance called lycopene in high levels, which may be associated with lowering the risk of a person getting a stroke. People with the highest levels of lycopene are actually 55% less likely to suffer a stroke.
Green tea and coffee: After years of extensive study, it has been proven that drinking at least one cup of coffee per day reduced stroke risk by 20%, and drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea every day reduced the risk by 14%.
Food rich in potassium: Potassium can be found in abundance in fruits and vegetables like greens, beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas, and these sources of potassium help reduce the risk of getting a stroke by 21%.
