All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
09 October 2017 12:52
A potassium-rich diet can reduce artery hardening
Eating tropical fruit such as banana and avocado can ward off heart disease, a new study suggests.
Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, US, have found eating potassium-rich fruit can prevent the hardening and narrowing of the arteries which lead to heart complications and strokes.
A promising study
Although the tests have yet to be carried out in humans, a study of mice found a diet low in potassium is more likely to lead to atherosclerosis - the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries.
Researchers monitored mice, that are known to be vulnerable to heart disease when fed a high-fat diet, and varied the levels of potassium in their diets.
The mice fed a high-potassium diet maintained healthy arteries. Comparatively, those with reduced potassium in their diets experienced vascular calcification, or hardening.
Paul Sanders, research professor at the University of Alabama, said: "The findings have important translational potential since they demonstrate the benefit of adequate potassium supplementation on prevention of vascular calcification in atherosclerosis-prone mice, and the adverse effect of low potassium intake."
Chronic levels of CHD
According to the charity Heart UK, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single most common cause of death in Europe for people under the age of 65.
Statistics compiled by the charity show over 1.6 million men and over a million women are living with CHD in Britain, and a heart attack happens every seven minutes on average.
Anyone with heart disease or other pre-existing heart conditions can still enjoy holidays and overseas trips with peace of mind by taking out pre-existing medical travel insurance.
17 March 2020
Escape it all with a visit to one of the world's hidden island gems.
[more...]
02 July 2021
It's time for some Mediterranean sun and unforgettable sights. Here are five of our favourite must-sees in Malta.
Take your pick of the best beaches in Portugal, spanning more than 500 miles of the Portuguese coastline.
Holidays are back but not quite as we know them. Here's a quick guide to what to expect when travelling to and from green list countries.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.