4. Apples

Yes, it is true – an apple a day keeps the doctor away. And also a stroke. Apples are one of the foods that can prevent stroke. In one big population trial, eating more of these particular foods – white fruit and vegetables, especially apples and pears – decreased the risk of stroke by 9% for every 25 g of food consumed per day.

But why are apples among the best foods to prevent a stroke? Apples are a great source of quercetin, a kind of flavanol, and they are also rich in dietary fiber. But what is quercetin doing? How is it helping us?

Quercetin increases the synthesis of nitric oxide, which will cause blood vessels to expand and improve blood flow. It also has an antioxidant effect and lowers inflammation, again improving blood flow.

And what is best about apples is that you can eat them at any time of the day. For example, you can have a quick snack by pairing apple slices with nuts. This can be a good source of protein, fiber, and some omega-3 fats.