Eating bananas cuts the risk of strokes in post-menopausal women, a study from Albert Einstein College in New York suggests.
Of the 90-thousand post-menopausal women studied those who ate the most potassium, which bananas are rich in, were 12 per-cent less likely to suffer a stroke.
The women aged 50 to 79 were studied for an average of 11 years.
Senior study author Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller said: "Previous studies have shown that potassium consumption may lower blood pressure. But whether potassium intake could prevent stroke or death wasn't clear.
"Our findings give women another reason to eat their fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, and potassium not only lowers postmenopausal women's risk of stroke, but also death."
"Our findings suggest that women need to eat more potassium-rich foods. You won't find high potassium in junk food. Some foods high in potassium include white and sweet potatoes, bananas and white beans," said Dr Wassertheil-Smoller claimed.
