Nutrition experts have been telling us that eating whole grains is good for us and will help to reduce LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol) levels. Now researchers have discovered that they may protect against stroke as well.
Analyzing the eating habits of more than 75,500 nurses, researchers found that women who ate almost 3 servings a day of whole-grain foods had about one-third the risk of ischemic stroke of those who ate essentially no whole grains. Whole grains had the same effect on stroke risk regardless of other stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure.
Here are some whole-grain foods that can help protect you against stroke:
- Whole-wheat bread
- Whole-grain rye, barley, and oat bread
- Popcorn
- Brown rice
- Whole-grain breakfast cereal
- Oatmeal
- Wheat germ
- Whole-grain pasta
- Bran
- Whole-wheat pancakes
- Kasha
- Couscous
- Bulgur
Use them instead of these refined-grain foods:
- White bread
- Brown bread (not labeled whole-grain)
- White rice
- Regular wheat-based cereal
- English muffins
- Regular pasta
- Pizza crust
- Rice cakes, Cream of Rice
- Regular pancakes
Source: Whole grains protect against stroke. Heart Watch, December 2000.
