Food Rich in Potassium Cuts Stroke Risk in Older Women

Postmenopausal women can ward off the risk of stroke by increasing the intake of potassium-rich food items.

In the U.S., stroke is more common among women. It is also the 4^th leading cause of death in the U.S. In some cases, it leads to severe long term disability. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Each year, more than 795,000 people suffer a stroke in the U.S. and over half of the victims are women. Acting fast is the only key to prevent the damage from stroke.

The study led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, found that intake of foods rich in potassium reduces the risk of stroke and morality in postmenopausal women. This study gives women another strong reason to include fruits and vegetables in their diet as they are a good source of potassium. And, potassium not just cuts the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women, but also reduces the risk of premature death.

"Previous studies have shown that potassium consumption may lower blood pressure. But whether potassium intake could prevent stroke or death wasn't clear," said Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, Ph.D., study senior author and university professor emerita, department of epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx.

In this study, the researchers focused on 90,137 postmenopausal women aged between 50-79 years for an average of 11 years. They checked the levels of potassium the women consumed as well as their history of stroke, if any including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, or if some participant died during the study.

None of the study participants had suffered a stroke at the beginning of the study and the average intake of dietary potassium intake was 2,611 mg/day. The researchers found that those who consumed more of potassium had 12 percent lower risk of suffering from a stroke in general and 16 percent lower risk of suffering from ischemic stroke. Those who had the maximum intake of potassium had 10 percent lower risk of earl death. Among those with hypertension, higher intake of potassium was tied to 27 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke and 21 percent reduced risk of stroke as well as lower risk of premature death.

Through this finding, the researchers highlight that greater intake of dietary potassium is more beneficial before the onset of hypertension. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is recommended that women take at least 4,700 mg of potassium daily.

"Our findings suggest that women need to eat more potassium-rich foods. You won't find high potassium in junk food. Some foods high in potassium include white and sweet potatoes, bananas and white beans," said Wassertheil-Smoller.

The finding was documented in the American Heart Association's Journal Stroke.