8 Foods That Increase the Stroke Chance

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Foods That Increase the Stroke Chance: In the United States alone, stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the whole country. Approximately, there are 795,000 people suffer from stroke every year. One of the things that can trigger the condition is the wrong choice of food.

What you eat can make or break your overall health. With this, we have come up with a list of 8 processed foods that increase the stroke chance.

Table of Contents

1. Diet Soda

Diet sodas contain lots of artificial sweeteners. With this high level of artificial sugar, the body may suffer from inflammation. When inflammation happens in the body, it may lead to stroke.

It is therefore important to avoid drinking diet soda if you are concerned about your health. If possible, drink purified water or real fruit juices instead of a diet soda because they are healthy alternatives.

2. Processed and Artificial Foods

If you want to lower the risk for stroke, beware of processed foods you can easily purchase on the market. Processed foods such as bacon and hotdogs are high in sodium nitrate and nitrite. These substances have been found to damage the blood vessels in the body.

With damaged blood vessels, the body becomes prone to suffering a stroke. Do not just rely on processed foods to feed your family. Make an effort to prepare healthy and delicious meals. As much as possible, cook dishes that are made with green and leafy vegetables.

3. Fatty Meats

Fatty meats are packed with protein. At the same time, they contain high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Continuous consumption of fatty meats may lead to cardiovascular problems such as artery blockage, atrial fibrillation, and increased risk for stroke. It is therefore important to be conscious of what you eat.

Lower your intake of foods that are rich in cholesterol and saturated fat. Meats that are high in fat are sausages, fried chicken, lamb, beef, dark-meat poultry, and bacon. Instead of fatty meats, choose foods that are lean protein sources including fish, lentils, and beans.

4. Canned Soup

Have you ever wondered why a canned soup still tastes good despite being in the can for several months before opening it? It is because it is packed with preservatives and food coloring.

Do not be fooled by the information you read on the can label. Chances are, canned soups are marketed as all-natural and with fresh ingredients but the truth is, they contain ingredients that can harm the body.

5. Red Meat

A certain study shows that people who consumed a large amount of red meat daily had higher chances of suffering a stroke. Researchers believe that red meat is high in saturated fat.

This means that red meat is bad news for those who have cardiovascular diseases. When you eat red meat, it clogs the arteries due to the build-up of protein plaques.

6. Salty Foods

Salt plays an essential role in the human body. It helps in managing fluid balance. However, too much of something is never good. Excessive intake of salt or salty foods can increase the workload of the heart. This makes it difficult for your blood to flow freely. If you have a high-sodium diet, it increases your risk of suffering a stroke. Needless to say, you need to avoid foods that are packed with a high amount of salt or eat them in moderation.

High-sodium foods include frozen meals, canned foods, crackers, pretzels, and soy sauce. To lower your salt consumption, it is best to opt for natural foods and cut back on frozen and processed foods.

7. Trans Fats

If you care about your health, you should avoid any food that has trans fats, including chips, crackers, fried foods, and store-bought baked goods. Trans fats can promote the chance of suffering a stroke because they can cause inflammation.

When inflammation occurs, the body becomes a breeding ground for chronic or serious diseases. On the other hand, you can opt for healthy alternatives to the foods you usually eat. For instance, you can choose trans-free margarine instead of regular margarine. Eat grilled or broiled foods instead of the deep-fried ones.

8. Refined Grains

Instant rice, baked goods, enriched pasta, and white bread are all refined grains made with baking or white flour. Experts have found out that refined grains contain a little amount of fiber, nutrients, and protein. With this, instead of refined grains, you may opt for whole grains because they have more fiber.

According to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, a fiber-rich diet helps prevent stroke chance. Aside from this, whole grains such as brown rice, barley, and oats can promote weight control and appetite. which is essential for protecting the body against cardiovascular diseases.

A Final Thought

Overall, eating well is necessary for a person to prevent a stroke chance. If you don’t want to suffer from a stroke, you have to be conscious of what you eat. Do not just eat something just because you are craving it. On the other hand, if you have already suffered a stroke, eating right and healthy is the key to recovery.

Choosing the right set of foods can help you control your body weight and blood pressure. Aside from this, it minimizes your risk of having another stroke. Making healthy food choices can make a big difference.

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Moreover, you need to get the vitamins and nutrients by eating a variety of foods daily. A professional dietician can design a personal meal plan for you. This way, you can be assured of the foods you are eating. When grocery shopping, it would be helpful to read food labels. This is a good way to learn more about the different foods you consume daily. Mostly, food labels provide nutritional information that consumers need to know.

Also, it is advisable to limit your intake of foods that contain cholesterol and saturated and trans fat. Cholesterol is commonly thought of as a bad substance. However, health experts say that the body needs this fatty, waxy substance to maintain the health of its cells.