The Best Fruits For Stroke Patients
Fruits are some of the top foods for stroke recovery because they are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants. Flavonoids help reduce inflammation and ischemic damage after a stroke. They also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, which is good news as high cholesterol and high blood pressure are two of the leading causes of stroke.
Antioxidants help reduce damage from free radicals, which are harmful compounds produced when the body breaks down food or caused by exposure to smoke and radiation. Because fruits are rich in both flavonoids and antioxidants, they are an excellent addition to a healthy diet after stroke.
Here are some of the best fruits for stroke patients, according to clinical evidence:
The Best Way To Avoid Stroke Is By Improving Your Diet
According to Food Revolution expert Michael Greger, MD, the best way to avoid suffering from a stroke is to eat a whole food, plant-based diet centered around vegetables, lentils, beans, seeds, whole grains, fruits, and nuts.
But to get the full benefits, plant-strong eaters must have a regular, reliable source of B12 meaning B12-fortified foods or supplements.
How Green Tea Reduces Stroke Risk
It seems researchers in Japan have determined that the combination of four cups of green tea and one cup of coffee per day can help prevent strokes .
As mentioned, this was a claim I had not yet heard.
Drinking four cups of green tea per day on its own can reduce the risk of stroke, as can a cup of coffee per day, but apparently combining the two habits can reduce the risk of a stroke quite a bit further.
Lets look at how these drinks reduce the risk of strokes.
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Helping With Sleep And Relaxation
Chamomile tea is widely thought to help people relax and fall asleep. Few clinical trials have tested this, however.
In one review of the current evidence, 10 of 12 cardiovascular patients are quoted as having fallen asleep shortly after consuming chamomile tea. A handful of other studies looking at clinical models also suggest that chamomile tea may help people relax.
In a study using rats, chamomile extract helped sleep-disturbed rodents fall asleep. Many researchers believe that chamomile tea may function like a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs that can reduce anxiety and induce sleep. Some research suggests that chamomile binds to benzodiazepine receptors.
A review looking at the is inconclusive. Some studies show a modest anti-anxiety benefit, but others do not.
I Want To Start Drinking Green Tea What Next
If you want some help choosing a good tea, this article tells you which ones are good and where to buy them, including several recommendations from Amazon, since it is the easiest place to buy for most of us .
If you need a good vessel for making and/or drinking tea, the following articles will help:
- If you already have a mug you like, you can save a lot of money and just get one of these best tea infusers to use with your existing mug. Most only cost a few dollars.
- If you dont have a mug, but want to keep it simple, these mugs with strainers are also cheap and let you brew tea right in the mug.
- If you plan on drinking tea on the go, these travel mugs with filters are ideal.
- If you want to get an actual teapot, these are all great and inexpensive.
When Is It Best To Drink Green Tea?
You can drink green tea at any time. This article covers the best times to drink tea.
Many people worry about the caffeine keeping them up, but even high-caffeine teas have far less of it than coffee. Unless you are sensitive to caffeine, a small cup of green tea before bedtime should not impact your sleep. In fact, it has numerous benefits, not the least of which is that it may actually help you relax and drift off.
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But Which Tea Should You Drink To Lower Your Risk
Did you know? 40,530 Japanese adults participated in a study that found those who drank five or more cups of green tea a day had a 26% lower risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, green tea drinkers were 16% less likely to die from all causes than those who drank fewer than one cup a day.
Heres another research suggesting that adding green tea to the daily diet lowered the death risk of stroke survivors by 62%. On the other hand, adding coffee to the daily diet lowered the death risk of heart attack survivors by 22%.
In terms of tea, black tea is a close equivalent of coffee.
So, if you were to choose which is the best tea to reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes, we suggest going with black tea or green tea.
You could probably also try both. Try alternating with each after considering the workload you have on any given day. If you have busy mornings, the caffeine in black tea may be of better use than green tea.
What do you say? Isnt tea for heart patients a magic potion?
White Tea: Protective Against Cancer But Not The Heart
White tea is harvested from the young buds of the tea plant and only briefly processed.
White tea has the most potent anti-cancer properties compared with some of the more processed teas like black tea or oolong, says Derocha. It also has catechins, a polyphenol that can protect us from cell damage, whether that be aging or from a chronic condition.
A study published in Food Chemistry found that white tea may protect the DNA of normal cells against cell damage from colon cancer, acting as a potential chemotherapeutic agent by inhibiting colon cancer cells.
Regarding heart health, research is limited. Mintz says that while white tea does have antioxidant effects, there arent any specific studies exploring the link between the two.
Also, check with your doctor if youre taking a blood thinner like warfarin or are sensitive to caffeine. White tea does contain caffeine, which can speed your heart rate or increase your risk for high blood pressure.
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How Do They Prevent Strokes
A stroke is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
Usually this takes the form of a blood clot blocking the flow of blood or a ruptured blood vessel. The lack of blood in the brain causes brain cells to die, resulting in lasting damage. The actions controlled by the particular region of the brain where the stroke has occurred are adversely affected.
Depending on where the stroke occurred, the victim may lose function of a limb, the ability to speak, or even the ability to breathe or perform other vital functions.
What does green tea do to reduce the risk of blood clots or ruptured vessels?
Well, drinking green tea or coffee regularly helps prevent blood clots from forming due to the caffeine contentcaffeine thins the blood.
Additionally, a compound in green tea called catechin helps regulate blood pressure and improve blood flow, while a compound called quinide in coffee helps control blood sugar, which reduces the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, thus reducing stroke risk.
Since the catechins in tea and the quinides in coffee attack the problem from different angles, you can see how it would be beneficial to partake in both habits.
In additional to the anti-stroke benefit listed here, drinking green tea has been linked to numerous other health benefits. And the same goes for drinking coffee, in moderation of course.
Why not pick up the green tea habit and maybe reduce your coffee consumption at the same time?
What Is The Best Diet For Stroke Patients
While the list of foods above provides many benefits, its important to create a diet that works best for you. Your doctor or dietitian can provide guidance on what foods to eat or avoid based on your unique medical history and any preexisting health conditions. They may also recommend starting with simple, heart-healthy diets.
For example, the Mediterranean Diet and the DASH Diet are two diets that have been found to protect against neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions such as stroke. The Mediterranean Diet is a primarily plant-based diet that encourages the consumption of healthy fats, such as fish and olive oil, as well as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Another great diet for stroke patients is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension . The DASH Diet focuses on managing dietary changes that are flexible and nutritious while staying within the daily recommended intake of sodium, which helps manage blood pressure. The Mediterranean Diet and the DASH Diet are ranked number 1 and 2 respectively by the U.S. & World Report as the best diets to engage in.
Finally, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, or MIND Diet, has also been clinically proven to improve stroke recovery. Its a simple hybrid of the two diets that encourages the consumption of 10 food types and discourages 5 food varieties . The MIND Diet also helps manage certain stroke risk factors such as atherosclerosis and obesity.
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Alternative Treatments For Motor Recovery
If you want to improve movement after stroke, these methods have been shown to help:
- Mirror therapy. This helps improve hand movement in patients with severe spasticity or paralysis.
- Mental practice. Studies have shown that visualizing yourself moving helps spark neuroplasticity just the same as real movement.
- Acupuncture. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps improve mobility after stroke, especially if electrical stimulation is applied . If your acupuncturist makes house calls, it could be one of the best home remedies for stroke recovery.
These at-home methods for stroke recovery are considered natural because stroke recovery, by its very nature, draws upon natural biological processes to recover.
The main biological process is called neuroplasticity: the mechanism that allows the brain to rewire itself and recover from the damage after stroke. While these methods help, neuroplasticity is maximized when they are paired with rehabilitation exercise.
Treating Diabetes And Lowering Blood Sugar
Again, some studies have found that chamomile tea can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Research does not show that chamomile is a viable substitute for diabetes medications, but it may be a helpful supplement to existing treatments.
Similarly, a 2008 study of rats found that consistent consumption of chamomile tea might prevent blood sugar from increasing. This effect reduces the long-term risk of diabetes complications, suggesting that chamomile could improve diabetes outcomes.
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What Is The Best Tea
So, now that you know tea is good for you what is the best tea for you to drink?
There are hundreds of varieties and many different blends.
Be careful what kind of tea you drink. Tea that has ginger or ginseng can be harmful in large doses. 5 to 6 cups per day of this kind of tea can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke!
What tea works?
Green tea is the best tea and your safest bet. The more natural, the better.
Japanese researchers led by Yoshihiro Kokubo conducted the first large-scale study. They followed people, studying their drinking habits, for 13 years. They found that drinking green tea may reduce strokes by 20%!
Studies show that the more green tea someone drinks, the lower their chances having a stroke are.
Study findings:
- 2-3 cups = 14% lower risk
- +4 cups = 20% lower risk
- 2 cups daily = 32% lower risk of an intracerebral hemorrhage
Scientists believe catechins, a form of antioxidants, may be the answer behind these findings.
Other studies found that green tea can also improve blood vessel functions and lower the risk of heart disease.
The bottom line is if you want to decrease the risk of having a stroke, green tea is the best tea that you should drink. What do you think? Do you like green tea? Leave us a comment, wed love to hear your tea stories!
Your Morning Cups Of Coffee And Tea Could Be Associated With Lower Risk Of Stroke And Dementia
The cup of coffee or tea you reach for in the morning OK, maybe its a few may be associated with a lower risk for stroke and dementia, according to a new study.
Among more than 360,000 participants studied over a period of 10 to 14 years, those who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee, 3 to 5 cups of tea, or a combination of 4 to 6 cups of coffee or tea a day had the lowest risk of stroke and dementia, according to researchers from Tianjin Medical University in Tianjin, China.
Our findings suggested that moderate consumption of coffee and tea separately or in combination were associated with lower risk of stroke and dementia, the authors of the study said in a release.
Around the world, 10% of deaths are caused by stroke, according to a 2017 study published in The Lancet. Dementia refers to a general decline in brain function, but it can set in after a stroke.
Drinking coffee or tea alone also was associated with lower risk for both conditions, but people who had 2 to 3 cups of coffee and 2 to 3 cups of tea daily 4 to 6 cups total faired the best, with a 28% lower risk of dementia and 32% lower risk of stroke than those who didnt drink either, according to the study.
Over the course of the study period, 5,079 participants developed dementia and 10,053 experienced at least one stroke, according to the study, which was published in PLOS Medicine.
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Understanding Complementary And Alternative Treatments For Stroke
Blocked arteries, ruptured blood vessels, or blood clots can cause a stroke.
Complementary and alternative medicine may help with stroke prevention and recovery. Examples of CAM treatments include massage, dietary supplements, or acupuncture to manage stress.
According to a 50-year study of strokes in India, where strokes are more common than in Western countries, managing the risk factors of stroke was the best option for prevention. One-third of the participants made education and lifestyle changes to control their risk factors. These changes proved to be the most effective way to prevent another stroke in this group.
Evidence doesnt suggest that CAM treatments are better than medical treatments. In fact, CAM treatments havent been as well-studied as standard therapies. So CAM treatments shouldnt replace any treatments your doctor has prescribed. If you think youre having a stroke, call 911 or your local emergency services.
But adding CAM treatments to your healthcare routine may help you reach health goals. For example, it may help lower your blood pressure faster.
Check with your doctor first before trying CAM treatments.
An important aspect of stroke prevention is understanding which risk factors can be controlled.
Uncontrollable risk factors are:
Your doctor may prescribe medication for lowering cholesterol and may recommend a heart-healthy lifestyle. Eat or drink the following items regularly to help you reach your health goals.
Try Yoga & Stretching
Yoga is based on the concept that theres a mind-body connection. This idea can help seniors begin to concentrate on how they can increase their focus as well as their physical abilities. Yoga incorporates breathing, which helps seniors relax more during their recovery. If your loved one isnt ready to do major poses, he or she can achieve similar benefits with simple stretches. Stretching exercises can be started even while your loved one is still confined to a bed. A professional caregiver can help your loved one move his or her arms and legs into gentle positions that increase his or her motor skills and flexibility.
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Fast Facts About Chamomile Tea:
- Dried chamomile flowers are used to make chamomile tea.
- Researchers are interested in the benefits of consuming chamomile tea.
- Similarly to any other herbal remedy, it is not safe for everyone.
- The more potent the tea, the more likely it is to offer health benefits.
The potency of various chamomile teas varies, with some containing significantly more chamomile than others. The more potent teas are also more likely to cause side effects in people who are vulnerable to them. Consequently, it is safest to start with a low dosage and work up to larger doses slowly.
Chamomile contains chemicals called flavonoids. These flavonoids are a type of nutrient present in many plants, and they play a significant role in chamomiles medicinal effects.
Researchers are not sure yet what other chemicals are present in chamomile specifically and account for its benefits.
The potential benefits of chamomile tea, for which there is the most evidence, include:
How Drinking Tea May Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke
Recently the prescription of tea for heart patients is increasing. It seems like this super drink is not just capable of waking you up every morning but is also a complementary medicine for the heart.
There is also strong evidence that black and green tea can cause a reduction in both coronary heart disease and stroke risk between 10 and 20%.
But how can drinking tea reduce your risks of heart disease? And do you gain the benefits from all teas, or is there any magic tea with unparalleled qualities? What are its potent qualities that make tea for the heart a savior?
Well answer all these questions in this article, and more. So, stay tuned!
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