Citrus fruits 'help prevent blood-clot related stroke'
Keep that fruit bowl handy for optimum heart health. Scientists have found a large-scale study that concludes that, as well as providing a vitamin C boost, citrus fruits may also help protect the body from a stroke in later life.
Researchers in the US found that women who regularly eat citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit may have a lower risk of blood-clot related stroke, based on 14 years of data, including 69,622 women.
They calculated that those who ate lots of oranges and grapefruit and their derived juices showed a 19% lower stroke risk than their counterparts in the study.
Previous research has suggested that citrus-derived flavonoids may also help to prevent weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
Dr Sharlin Ahmed, Research Liaison Officer at The Stroke Association, said: “We all know that eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg is good for our health. This study suggests that eating citrus fruits in particular, such as oranges and grapefruits, which are high in vitamin C could help to lower your stroke risk.
“However, this should not deter people from eating other types of fruit and vegetables as they all have health benefits and remain an important part of a staple diet.
“More research is needed in this area to help us understand the possible reasons why citrus fruits could help to keep your stroke risk down.”
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Tags:
- fruit ,
- healthy eating ,
- heart ,
- stroke ,
- the stroke association
