Increase fruits and vegetables to prevent risk of stroke

Prevent Risk of Stroke by Eating at Least Three to Five Portions of Fruits and Vegetables Daily

Are you getting five-a-day?

In 1992 the National Cancer Institute started the campaign to encourage everyone to eat five servings of fruits or vegetables each day to promote good health.

So have you succeeded in getting five-a-day? If so do you think you could step it up to maybe seven or nine?

Researchers at the University of London recently reviewed eight dietary studies and concluded that three to five portions of fruit and vegetables daily may cut stroke risk by 11 percent, while more than five cuts risk by 26 percent. They credit the preventive effect to an increased intake of antioxidants, folate, potassium and fiber.

One of the researchers – Dr. Feng He – told Net Doctor that increased intake of fruits and vegetables was also shown to reduce the risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

The average fruit and vegetable intake in developed countries is three servings per day.

Source:
“More than Five-a-Day ‘Cuts Stroke Risk'” Net Doctor, 1/27/06, netdoctor.co.uk