Eating citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit may help to reduce the risk of women having a stroke, new research suggests.
Scientists looked at compounds called flavonoids which are present in foods including fruits, vegetables, dark chocolate and red wine and are believed to be beneficial to blood vessels.
The team from the University of East Anglia found that women who ate high amounts of citrus fruits containing a specific type of flavonoid had a 19% lower risk of suffering blood clot-related (ischemic) stroke than women who consumed the least amounts.
"Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk," said Dr Aedin Cassidy, professor of nutrition at UEA's Norwich Medical School and author of the study.
"Flavonoids are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect."
Dr Cassidy and her team used 14 years' worth of data from a study of 69,622 women who reported their food intake, including details on fruit and vegetable consumption, every four years.
They found that those who consumed foods with a sub-group of compounds called flavanones, which are found in oranges and grapefruits, were at a lower risk of stroke than people who consumed other sources of flavonoids.
They recommend that people eat the fruit rather than drink juices, because of "the high sugar content of commercial fruit juices."
