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Bananas & Avocados Can Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes

Bananas, avocados and other high potassium rich foods can prevent heart attacks

A new study has revealed that eating bananas, avocados and other potassium rich foods can save you from heart attacks and strokes.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? More like bananas and avocados, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama. The research showed that foods that are rich in potassium can help protect your body against pathogenic vascular calcification – or hardening of the arteries.

For the first time in scientific history, researchers have shown that the less dietary potassium you take in the more prone your arteries are to hardening. Stiff, clogged and damaged arteries are among the main causes of heart attacks, heart diseases and strokes in humans.

This was observed when scientists fed mice at risk of heart disease one of three diets; either low, normal or high potassium foods. The mice who were put on the high potassium diets showed way less artery hardening than their low potassium diet friends, as well as reduced stiffness.

Out of this, it was concluded that potassium rich foods, such as bananas, avocados and spinach, can drastically stop blockages from occurring, keeping arteries flexible and healthy.

Other high potassium foods you could eat to maintain a healthy heart include: squash, sweet potato, wild salmon, apricots, pomegranate, coconut water and white beans.

Now that you know, try to include at least one potassium-rich food into your daily diet. However, be careful with the intake, because too many bananas or avocados can lead to painful stomach aches.

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