Raw Foods with Anti-Oxidants Can Reduce Risks of Stroke in Women

The following information is for education only and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness.

Thursday, February 16, 2012 by: Lina Trivedi, contributing writer

Many studies are conducted that attempt to prove which drugs have what affect on health, especially in relation to heart disease. It is refreshing, in more ways than one, to read about a study that reveals that prevention of a health issue as serious as stroke can be found as close as our kitchen.

A major survey conducted in Sweden at Karolinska Institutet revealed that women who maintain diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables with anti-oxidants experience lower risks of stroke. This includes women who already suffer from heart disease. The study was published in the medical journal, Stroke (Journal of the American Heart Association), and focused on the diets of middle-aged and elderly women. The risk reduction of the women that ate the most foods with antioxidants ranged from 17-57% with the higher reduction of risk being among women that were already diagnosed with heart disease at the start of the study.

Another Study Supporting the Findings of the Sweeds

Another popular study, referred to as the HOPE study (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) followed 10,000 subjects that were specifically at risk for heart attack or stroke for more than 4 years. Their findings also supported the Swedish study, except they were focused on Vitamin E as being credited for the prevention.

What Foods are Rich in Anti-Oxidants?

The theory related to anti-oxidants is within the ability to halt inflammation in the body by neutralizing free radicals, which are known to damage cells. Additionally, anti-oxidants are proven to reduce blood clots and affect blood pressure favorably. Foods that are full of anti-oxidants include Russet potatoes, blueberries, artichokes and dark beans. In fact, black colored foods are a likely bet to have high levels of anti-oxidants due to their pigment. This would include black beans and black rice. In fact, black rice has a higher level of anti-oxidants than even blueberries, as a study from Louisiana State University found.

Studies are rampant in the area of health and there is always a study being done somewhere that is attempting to credit or discredit a specific ingredient and it's relationship with some area of health. However after reviewing several studies, common sense will find that a generally healthy diet is common among all the positive results, and similarly, negative eating habits support negative health effects. The numerous studies that have been cited will certainly support the statement that anti-oxidant rich foods will curb stroke risks. However, an overall healthy diet and consciousness will likely result in better health overall as well.

Sources for this article include:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-12-01/news/30464734_1_suzanne-steinbaum-heart-disease-stroke-risk

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine/

http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/am-i-at-risk/featured/diet.html

Lina Trivedi, contributing writer Lina Trivedi is a vegetarian and consistently in search of new ways to be healthy without a lot of effort. Raw food options are right up her alley because she does not particularly like cooking anyway. She has been a freelance-writer, designer and Web developer since 1995 and has had the pleasure of working with individuals and companies throughout her career that support healthy life choices. Find her online at LinaTrivedi.com, or follow her writing projects on Facebook. View All Lina's Articles Subscribe To Lina's Article Feed