Folic Acid Intake Linked to Lowered Stroke Risk in Hypertensive People

Folic acid may substantially cut down risk of stroke in people with hypertension, a new study from China claims.

The study comes at a time when the medical community in the US is of the opinion that folic acid does no better than a placebo in preventing stroke. However, the new study's findings based on data from 20,000 adults shows that folic acid intake can indeed cut risk of stroke in high-risk groups, reports UPI.

"Among adults with hypertension in China without a history of stroke or MI, the combined use of enalapril and folic acid, compared with enalapril alone, significantly reduced the risk of first stroke. These findings are consistent with benefits from folate use among adults with hypertension and low baseline folate levels," researchers wrote. Enalapril is used to treat hypertension.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is available in greens, beans and citrus fruits. Most Americans however meet their folate requirements through folate-fortified grain. The daily recommended intake of folic acid is 400 micrograms. High intake of folate-rich foods in US could be one reason why studies in the past done on US populations found no substantial cardiovascular benefits from the vitamin.

That given, the study's findings published in the Journal of American Association, holds water for countries where such grains are not regularly consumed.