Coffee reduces the risk of a stroke

Scientists have determined that coffee acts as a preventive drink for stroke.

Stroke is a serious condition whereby cerebral circulation becomes disrupted. Like all organs, the brain requires oxygen and nutrients which are supplied through the blood. When there is limited access or a complete absence of oxygen, brain cells begin to die. This leads to various diseases and sometimes death. Symptoms vary depending on the type of stroke. They may include unconsciousness, dizziness, severe headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, weakness in the hands or feet which can progress up to a paralysis. Patients with stroke symptoms need urgent medical care, as well as timely rehabilitation. The sooner the treatment is started, the less irreversible consequences will be. To avoid sudden focal or cerebral neurological symptoms, the prevention of stroke should be paid attention to. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, elimination of bad habits will significantly reduce the risk of a stroke.

Recent studies have discovered another factor that can prevent the stroke. This factor is the intake of coffee. There has been an ongoing debate about its useful qualities. Even though coffee has powerful protective effect against stroke, this drink is still a rather dangerous stimulant.

However comparative analysis revealed that coffee is more useful than harmful. Two coffee cups per day can reduce the risk of a stroke by 17%. Researches analyzed 11 previous studies, (7 were conducted in Europe, 2 - in the USA and 2 - in Japan) in the field of neurological disorders relating to stroke. The study included more than 10,000 cases of 479,689 patients. Participants were divided into groups: the first group was consuming from 0-1 cups of coffee a day, the second - from 2-3 and the third - from 4 cups and more. Such factors as age, sex, place of residence, year of a conducted study, bad habits, diabetes, high blood pressure were taken into account. It was found that the risk of a stroke was reduced by 8% in people who drank 1 cup of coffee, by 14% - in people who drank 2 cups, by 17% - in people who drank 3 cups and by 13% - in people who drank up to 6 cups. However, it was noted that consumption of more than eight cups of coffee did not have a positive effect on the body. Additionally, the analysis showed that the results were similar despite different geographical locations, different years and different sexes of people. The drink has the same effect for different types of a stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic).

Scientists have concluded that a moderate consumption of coffee, 2-3 cups a day, reduces the risk of a stroke. An increase of the dose does not help to increase the preventative effect. Coffee is a mixture of substances that can both positively and negatively affect the health of a person. Antioxidants that the coffee contains can protect blood vessels from damage caused by low-density lipoproteins, the so-called "bad" cholesterol. But in some cases, consumption of caffeine leads to high blood pressure, so each case should be treated individually.

Also see other articles on this topic:

• Stroke - symptoms and first aid
• Stroke and cognitive disorders
• When the patient prevents treatment on his/her own

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