If you are a regular consumer of fresh fruits, then you are already taking positive steps toward a healthier future. Well, what if you were to learn that the more fresh fruit you eat, the less chance you have of suffering a stroke, or heart attack?

According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, this is believed to be the case. To determine this theory, a seven-year study was undertaken, with more than 500,000 adults across China participating. Those involved did not have a previous history of cardiovascular disease or anti-hypertensive treatments when the study began.

So how much fruit should you eat to lessen your risk of such illnesses? Apparently, just a 100-gram portion of fruit, daily, should do the trick. This quantity, notes the research, led to roughly one-third less cardiovascular mortality.

What makes fruit so beneficial to the body is its lack of sodium, fat and calories, as well as the heightened amount of dietary fiber, antioxidants and potassium.

While it’s great news to see that making fresh fruit a part of your regular diet has yet another benefit to it, one should not assume that fruit and fruit alone would totally protect you from suffering a stroke, or heart attack.

“It’s difficult to know whether the lower risk in people who eat more fresh fruit is because of a real protective effect,” offered the study’s senior author, Professor Zhengming Chen of the University of Oxford, UK. “If it is, then widespread consumption of fresh fruit in China could prevent about half a million cardiovascular deaths a year, including 200,000 before age 70, and even larger numbers of non-fatal strokes and heart attacks.”

Perhaps now is as good a time as any to make that fruit salad you’ve been meaning to?

If you’re interested in more health advice and insights like this, please tune in on Friday afternoons at 3 & 3:30pm ET/Noon & 12:30pm PT (beginning April 8) for back-to-back episodes of our brand new series, Ask Dr. Zach.  

In each episode of Ask Dr. Zach, people with health concerns related to themselves, or those close to them, are able to receive one-on-one medical expertise from a knowledgeable and caring doctor that has seen it all. No question is too big, no question is too small.  

This Week’s Episodes!

Friday, April 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT:Low blood pressure, which caused a stroke 25 years ago for 81-year-old Beryl, has her asking Dr. Zach about the several prescribed medications she’s taking.

Friday, April 15 at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT: Numerous strokes has 77-year-old Keiko dealing with numerous health-related issues including memory loss. Dr. Zach explains how to control your risk factors of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar after experiencing a stroke.

-Adam Grant