5. Powerful Potassium
Potassium may be one of the most important minerals in the fight against stroke. Researchers think this is because it works to relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and pull sodium from the body.
Potassium actually works in partnership with sodium to do its work, but too many of us have this balance way off. We all eat vastly more sodium than necessary, while only 2% of us reach our daily recommended value of potassium.
In one study, consuming 1,600 milligrams of potassium daily lowered stroke risk by 21%, even though this amount is at the lower end of the RDA (1,600-2,000 mg per day). It just makes sense to get more potassium, as it is linked with a lower stroke risk as well as a lower risk of dying prematurely by any cause.
It’s not just bananas that are high in potassium. You can also get it from white and sweet potatoes, white beans, fish, spinach, and greens.
