Study shows the more dietary antioxidants the lower the risk of stroke.

The higher the intake of antioxidants in Swedish women, the lower the chance of stroke. Women with no history of cardiovascular disease at baseline showed a 17% lower risk of stroke when they consumed the highest amounts antioxidant-rich foods compared with the lowest amounts. In women with cardiovascular disease, those consuming the most antioxidant foods experienced a 57% reduction in stroke risk compared to those eating the least.

PositiveTip: Fruits and vegetables are the richest source of dietary antioxidants. Consume plenty of them each day.

Antioxidants in walnuts improve the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet

Walnuts used to replace a third of the olive oil and avocado fat in a Mediterranean diet for four weeks was shown to improve blood cholesterol, LDL levels and vascular function in men and women with high cholesterol. Blood levels of one form of vitamin E doubled.  This study provides evidence that the antioxidants and the n-3 fatty acids in walnuts can improve the effect of the Mediterranean diet.

PositiveTip: Try adding a few walnuts to your salads or replacing a poor snack of junk food with a handful of walnuts to improve your heart health.

What is the most effective way to prevent type 2 diabetes? Eat less and exercise more!

It is predicted that by 2025 more than 300 million people worldwide will have type 2 diabetes! In the US alone the number of people with diabetes almost doubled between 1976 and 1994. Sedentary living and excess weight are considered to be the major risk factors for this debilitating disease. Many are the strategies that have been developed to reduce diabetes risk.