It’s not hard to see why stroke is one of the leading causes of death in America. It can happen to anyone at any time, and often without warning. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, starving the brain of oxygen and causing cells to die. This can lead to paralysis, loss of speech, or even death. While there is no way to completely prevent a stroke, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. One important step is to eat a healthy diet. This article will look at some specific foods you can eat to help lower your risk of having a stroke.
Sweet Potatoes
One of the best things you can eat to protect against stroke is sweet potatoes. These delicious vegetables are packed with antioxidants that help prevent damage to blood vessels in the brain. They also contain potassium, which helps regulate heart function and reduce high blood pressure, another risk factor for strokes. Those avoiding carbohydrates should remember that they only need to cut out sugars. Sweet potatoes are high in complex carbohydrates that won’t spike your blood sugar.
Cherries
Cherries are another powerful food for protecting against stroke. They’re packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, prevent plaque from forming in blood vessels, and lower bad cholesterol levels. Cherries contain substances called anthocyanins, which have been studied for their potential to help fight Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. However, anthocyanins also helps reduce your risk of stroke because they relax blood vessels, increasing circulation and reducing your chances of a clot forming.
Olive Oil
In addition to helping many foods delicious, olive oil has been shown to reduce your risk of stroke. In one study that followed more than 7,000 healthy adults for 10 years, those who regularly consumed olive oil were 40% less likely to have a stroke. This may be because olive oil is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which may help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of blood clots.
Dark Chocolate
As if you needed another reason to enjoy chocolate, here’s the one that really matters. Eating dark chocolate regularly may reduce your risk of stroke. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. It’s also a potent source of minerals that may lower your risk, including magnesium, copper, and potassium. Which are all important nutrients for protecting your arteries and brain cells.
Lentils
Lentils are a staple of many healthy diets and for good reason. They’re low in calories but high in nutrients that help protect you from stroke, including fiber, folate, iron, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and thiamine. Like most legumes and beans they also provide plenty of protein and are cholesterol-free. They are also high in magnesium, which can help lower blood pressure and prevent the formation of clots that might cause a stroke. Lentils may even help reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes by stabilizing insulin production and reducing blood sugar levels.
