Our moms always told us to eat our greens and beans.. and now a recent study reveals yet another important reason why these wise women were right. People who consume plenty of foods rich in magnesium-such as leafy green veggies and legumes-appear to have fewer strokes.
Researchers analyzed data from seven studies involving a total of 241,378 people from the US, Europe and Asia who were followed for an average of nearly 12 years.
What they found: For every additional 100 mg of magnesium consumed daily, a person's risk for ischemic stroke the most common type, which is caused by a blood clot) was reduced by 9%.
Concern: Study participants from the US fell far short of the ideal, consuming foods that provided, on average, just 242 mg of magnesium per day-though the RDA is 320 mg for most adult women and 420 mg for most adult men.
Because this study focused specifically on food, researchers did not make a recommendation regarding the use of magnesium supplementation. However, it is easy to boost your intake of the brain-protecting mineral with food. For instance, you can get about 100 mg of magnesium each from...
Beans (black, lima, navy, white), 1 cup.
Beet greens, 1 cup cooked.
Bran cereal, % cup.
Brazil nuts, 1 ounce.
Cashews, 1% ounce.
Halibut, 3 ounces.
Lentils, 194 cup.
Okra, 1 cup cooked.
Spinach, 4 cup cooked.
Loud Traffic Noise Increases Stroke Risk
Previous studies have linked traffic noise with heart attack risk and increased blood pressure, and a recent study shows that persistent exposure to loud traffic can significantly increase the risk for stroke in people older than 64%. Every 10-decibel increase in traffic noise increases the risk for stroke by 27%. Researchers theorize that persistent road noise disrupts older people's sleep patterns (which already tend to be more fragmented). which in turn increases stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate.
Want to Keep Reading?
Continue reading with a Health Confidential membership.
