Studies have found that people who have a higher level of protein in their diet over those with lower levels are less likely to suffer from strokes.

Researchers state that only a moderate increase in protein to your diet can reduce your risk of stroke by about 20%. Only about 20g of protein a day is needed to decrease your chances of stroke.

Long-Term Study

7 studies with a total of 254,489 participants who were followed for 14 years were included in this analysis. The results of the study also accounted for other factors like smoking and high cholesterol.

For every 20g of protein people ate per day, their risk of stroke decreased by 26%. Researchers believe that if everyone’s protein intake was at this level, it would mean 1.4 million less deaths from stroke each year, worldwide as well as a decreased level of disability from stroke.

What Kind of Protein?

This study does not support the increased consumption of red meat however, which is linked with increased stroke risk. Instead, they recommend eating more fish protein to help raise your daily protein levels.

Protein has the ability to lower blood pressure levels, which could be why they reduce your risk of stroke. This study illustrates that the reduced risk of stroke was stronger for animal protein than vegetable protein.

Protein is an essential building block for our bodies, and a diet with a healthy amount of protein is your first defence against stroke.

SOURCE: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/home/PressRelease/1289

http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2014/06/11/WNL.0000000000000551.abstract