The number of people suffering strokes could be hugely reduced by including more than five daily portions of fruit and vegetables in their diet, according to the latest research.
In the United Kingdom, there are 150 000 cases of stroke a year. But a review in the Lancet medical journal reveals that this could be prevented if people ate more fruit and vegetables.
If those who ate fewer than three portions increased their consumption to more than five portions, their stroke risk would drop by 26%; eating between three and five portions would cut their risk by 11%.
Eating fruit and vegetables can help prevent certain diseases, including cancers. But the scale of the impact on stroke has not previously been assessed. The Lancet article pulls together the results of all available studies, allowing for more reliable conclusions.
Eight studies combined 257 551 people from the United States, Europe and Japan. Over 14 years, 4 917 suffered strokes. There was a clear difference in the likelihood of stroke between those who had little fruit and vegetables in their diet and those who ate more. — Guardian Newspapers 2006