Potassium Helps Prevent Stroke

A diet rich in potassium reduces the risk of stroke for postmenopausal women, according to a study published online in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. Researchers analyzed potassium intake from 90,137 postmenopausal women as part of the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Women who consumed the most potassium reduced their risk of all stroke types by 12 percent and lowered their risk of ischemic stroke (stroke due to clot formation) by 16 percent, compared with those who consumed the least amount. The reduction in risk was even greater among women who had normal blood pressure, compared with those who had high blood pressure. High potassium intake was also associated with a reduced risk from death by all causes, compared with the lowest intake, during the 11 years of follow-up.
 
This study suggests that all women should consume more potassium from foods like sweet potatoes, bananas, and white beans to meet or exceed daily recommendations.