Blood circulation problems are prevalent today and can be fatal. Obstacles in our blood vessels make it hard for blood to react to other body parts. Due to poor circulation, cells do not get enough oxygen to function well.
Pain, cramps, numbness, digestive problems, and freezing hands or feet are some symptoms of poor blood circulation.
Conditions that reduce blood flow may include:
Diabetes: Diabetes causes cramps in the body because of poor circulation leading to reduced sensations in the arms and legs.
Obesity: Being significantly overweight can cause poor blood circulation, especially when an individual sits, stands, or lies down for a long time.
Varicose Veins: Varicose veins happen when veins enlarge because of a valve failure. It is most common on the legs. The damaged veins cannot do their job of moving blood throughout the veins, which causes poor circulation.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): PAD can cause poor blood circulation, especially in the legs. It narrows the blood vessels and arteries.
Blood Clots: A blood clot can reduce or block the blood flow. Blood clots can develop anywhere in the body, but when a clot forms in the arms or legs, it can cause blood circulation problems. A blood clot can be life-threatening, especially in a lung or brain.
In addition to medical treatment, certain foods can improve blood circulation. Here are three food types to improve blood circulation.
1. Red-Colored Vegetables & Fruits
One must consume more red-colored foods in the diet, like black grapes, pomegranate, carrots, red beets, onions, turnips, and red cayenne peppers. These foods help in generating new blood and improving blood flow.
Beetroot is high in nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow to muscle tissue.
Pomegranate is high in polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates, which are potent vasodilators. It helps improve blood flow and oxygenation of muscle tissue.
Onions contain flavonoids, which help improve circulation by helping your arteries and veins widen when blood flow increases.
Cinnamon improves blood vessel dilation and blood flow in the coronary artery, which supplies blood to the heart.
2. Citrus Fruits
Consume more Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, tangerines, Indian gooseberry, and grapefruit packed with antioxidants and flavonoids. This helps decrease inflammation and thus reduces blood pressure and stiffness in the arteries while improving blood flow and nitric oxide production.
3. Almonds, Walnut & Dark Chocolate
One must consume five raw almonds and one walnut every day. Almonds have antioxidants that enhance blood supply by dilating your blood vessels. Walnuts also contain ALA and vitamin E, stimulating nitric oxide and blood flow.
Further, one must focus on the intake of foods rich in Iron, B12, B9 (folic acid), Vitamin A, and Copper to improve the production of RBC and, thus, blood flow.
Anyone who exhibits signs of circulatory problems should consult with their doctor. A physician can recommend a course of therapy for any underlying issues and assist with problem diagnosis.
