Author: Leticia Celentano
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Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
If consumers eat more potassium-rich foods and reduce salt intake, stroke deaths could be reduced by more than 1 million a year worldwide, scientists say.
Consumption of three bananas every day dramatically reduces the risk of stroke, scientists say.
By eating a banana for breakfast, lunch and dinner we provide enough potassium to the body and thus the chances of a blood clot in the brain are reduced by about 21%.
Data from British and Italian studies show that thousands of heart attacks can be prevented by eating other foods rich in potassium such as spinach, nuts, milk, fish and lentils.
In the latest study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers analyzed data from 11 different studies dating from the mid-1960s to the near future.
According to the results, a daily dose of potassium of about 1600 mg is enough to reduce the risk of stroke by more than 1/5. And if consumers eat more foods rich in potassium and reduce salt intake, stroke deaths could be reduced by more than 1 million a year worldwide, experts say.
On average, bananas contain about 500 mg of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and control fluid balance in the body.
Insufficient potassium can lead to irregular heartbeat, irritability, nausea and diarrhea, experts say.