Tomatoes May Lower Your Risk for Stroke
Although eating more vegetables is good advice, the study looked at lycopene levels in blood, not at how many tomatoes the men ate, says Daniel Labovitz, MD. He is the director of the Stern Stroke Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
What’s more, the study just showed a link. It was not designed to say whether or not eating more tomatoes can lower stroke risk. “There is no reason to think that tomatoes are bad, but we haven’t proven that they are special either,” he says.
One of the best ways to lower stroke risk is to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and to exercise regularly. “Lifestyle changes are better than any pill we can prescribe.”
Rafael Ortiz, MD, is less cautious in his interpretation of the study. “I would definitely recommend an increased intake of fruits and vegetables -- especially tomatoes to decrease your chances of stroke,” he says. He is the director of the Center for Stroke and Neuro-Endovascular Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
The study also shows that smokers tended to have the lowest blood levels of lycopene. Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke.
Tomatoes May Lower Your Risk for Stroke
Healthy Diet Lowers Stroke Risk continued...
Although eating more vegetables is good advice, the study looked at lycopene levels in blood, not at how many tomatoes the men ate, says Daniel Labovitz, MD. He is the director of the Stern Stroke Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
What’s more, the study just showed a link. It was not designed to say whether or not eating more tomatoes can lower stroke risk. “There is no reason to think that tomatoes are bad, but we haven’t proven that they are special either,” he says.
One of the best ways to lower stroke risk is to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and to exercise regularly. “Lifestyle changes are better than any pill we can prescribe.”
Rafael Ortiz, MD, is less cautious in his interpretation of the study. “I would definitely recommend an increased intake of fruits and vegetables -- especially tomatoes to decrease your chances of stroke,” he says. He is the director of the Center for Stroke and Neuro-Endovascular Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
The study also shows that smokers tended to have the lowest blood levels of lycopene. Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke.
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