Postmenopausal women who consume a diet rich in potassium are less likely to suffer a stoke, compared to those who eat less potassium-rich foods.

Senior study author Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, Ph.D., professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, sought to elaborate on previous studies which showed the potential for potassium to lower blood pressure, and determine whether or not it could prevent stroke or death.

“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,” said Smoller in a statement.

The researchers analyzed 90,137 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 to 79, and tracked them for approximately 11 years. The amount of potassium that the women consumed was measured, as well as whether or not they suffered strokes or died throughout the study.

Following the 11-year time period, it was discovered that women who consumed the most potassium were 12 percent less likely to suffer a stroke. In addition, women consuming a diet rich in potassium were 10 percent less likely to die from their heart-related disease.

It’s recommended that women consume a minimum of 4,700 mg of potassium every day to maintain optimal health, yet 2.8 percent of the women in this study met or exceeded this level.

The findings of the study are published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.