Folic Acid May Help Prevent Stroke

New findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show evidence that folic acid may be helpful in preventing strokes, particularly among those with high blood pressure.

For the study, researchers followed 20,000 Chinese adults who all were dealing with high blood pressure and a history of stroke or heart disease. Throughout a 4.5-year period, researchers found that patients who took both folic acid supplements along with the anti-hypertension drug enalapril were less likely to have a stroke than those who took the medication alone. Furthermore, the cardiovascular benefits of folic acid, otherwise known as folate, were also documented. 

It's true that you can certainly take a pill to help get more folates, but the best way is with green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and beans. Grain-based foods also help, like rice, past and cornmeal.

"Fruits and vegetables are important sources of folate in the diet, and they also bring lots of other benefits, such as potassium and phytonutrients, that also help lower cardiovascular disease," concluded Dr. Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, via the Harvard Health Blog.