Fruit and veggies 'cut stroke risk'

Eating more than the recommended five portions of fruit and
vegetables a day can cut risk of stroke, a study says.
Friday, 27 January 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4649508.stm

People who ate three to five cut the risk by 11% compared with those
eating fewer than three, The Lancet reported.

It was 26% lower for people who ate more than five servings,
University of London researchers found in the study of data on more
than 257,500 people.

The Department of Health says five or more daily portions cuts risk
of heart disease, cancer and other problems.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the most common cause
of disability in most developed countries.

The researchers pooled data from eight studies from Europe, Japan and
the US.

Lead researcher Dr Feng He said a diet including lots of fruit and
vegetables was also likely to further reduce the risk of other forms
of cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

Professor Graham MacGregor, who also worked on the study, said: "It
is a very important finding because it really shows that the quantity
of fruit and vegetables you should be eating is more than five a
day."

Fruit and vegetables are full of nutrients such as vitamin C, beta
carotene and potassium as well as plant proteins and dietary fibre.

They are also less dense in calories, have very little fat and
contain beneficial antioxidants.

However, the researchers suspect that potassium may be the most
important factor in preventing stroke.

Professor MacGregor said: "We know that if you give people additional
potassium it lowers blood pressure.

"By increasing to five servings a day from three you would increase
your potassium intake by about 50%."

Simple changes

Joe Korner, of the Stroke Association, said: "This latest research is
very important because it shows just how significant this simple
lifestyle change can be in reducing strokes.

"Simply increasing daily intake of fruit and vegetables to five or
more a day could reduce the number of strokes by 26%. In the UK that
would mean nearly 40,000 strokes a year.

"At least a further 20,000 (14%) strokes could be prevented by better
control of high blood pressure through reducing salt intake, better
exercise and stopping smoking."

Professor Gareth Beevers, from the Blood Pressure Association, said
the study highlighted the need for health educators to provide clear,
practical information about the sorts of foods which everyone should
be eating.

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STROKE
More than 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year
Strokes kill an estimated 67,000 people in the UK each year
More than 250,000 Britons live with a severe disability caused by
stroke

A SERVING
Vegetables: 77 grams (2.7 ounces)
Fruit: 80 grams (2.8 ounces)