How to improve your diet to lower stroke risk

Health & Fitness
17 Sep 2025 • 8:27 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Diet plays a crucial role in preventing strokes, with experts stating that approximately 80% of strokes are preventable through dietary improvements.
  • Nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke annually, with high blood pressure identified as a leading cause, alongside other risk factors such as genetics, age, and lifestyle choices.
  • Consuming heart-healthy foods and avoiding meals high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar is critical for reducing stroke risk.
  • Specific dietary recommendations include eating two cups of non-fat plain or Greek yogurt weekly, which provides calcium, potassium, and probiotics beneficial for blood pressure and gut health.
  • Regularly incorporating lean fish like salmon or tuna, or taking fish oil supplements, can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, while a daily serving of beans can reduce stroke risk by 20% due to their fiber and folate content.

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