Having thick and sticky blood is not a good thing. That’s because it increases your risk of developing blood clots that can travel and impede circulation in certain organs of the body like the lungs, heart and brain. When that happens, you may end up with pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke, depending on where a blood clot ends up. This is the reason why it is generally a good idea for you to have thin blood that flows effectively.
There are certain medications doctors may prescribe that can make blood less viscous. Then there are also foods that are known to help thin your blood naturally. Including them in your daily diet may give you a healthier circulatory system, saving you from developing blood clots.
Before we tackle these foods, it’s important to take note that blood that’s too thin is also just as bad as blood that’s too thick. That’s because you may end up with excessive bleeding, something which is referred to as “hemorrhage” in the medical world. Especially if you are taking anticoagulants (drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots) prescribed by your doctor, consider going easy on consuming the foods that will be mentioned below.
So here are some of the foods that you should have on a regular basis if you want to keep your blood naturally thin and significantly reduce your risk of encountering health issues associated with thick and sticky blood:
Foods That Contain Salicylates
Salicylates help maintain thin blood because they block the action of vitamin K, a nutrient that promotes blood coagulation. These substances also help speed up blood circulation as well as your metabolic rate. There are plenty of food sources of salicylates, such as herbs and fruits.
Herbs that contain good amounts of these blood-thinning substances include ginger, curry powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, paprika, dill, oregano and cinnamon. Oranges, tangerines, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, prunes, grapes and raisins are some fruits that contain salicylates.
You may also obtain salicylates from honey, vinegar, wine and even chewing gum containing peppermint!
Foods That are Rich in Vitamin E
Experts say that vitamin E, a type of antioxidant, is very good at warding off blood clots. That’s why you should opt for a diet that’s rich in the said vitamin.
Some wonderful sources of vitamin E are nuts and seeds. Go ahead and sprinkle some of them on your yogurt, oatmeal and baked goodies. You may also obtain good amounts of vitamin E from various other food sources such as spinach, Swiss chards, kale, red bell peppers, wheat, papayas, kiwis, and vegetable oils like olive oil and coconut oil.
Foods Loaded with Omega-3 Fatty Acids
It’s common knowledge that omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart. That’s because these healthy fats prevent inflammation and lower bad cholesterol levels. Also, omega-3 fatty acids help stave off blood clot formation.
Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, trout and sardines are all packed with omega-3 fatty acids. You can also obtain high amounts of these healthy fats from a wide assortment of nuts and seeds.
Foods with Antibiotic Properties
Experts found out that long-term use of antibiotics helped in keeping the blood thin. That’s because antibiotics kill certain bacteria in the gut that promote vitamin K production. Since it’s not a good idea for you to opt for unnecessary intake of antibiotics, you may simply go for foods that are known to posses antibiotic properties.
Include garlic and onions in your diet since they are known to have superb antibiotic properties, thus they help keep your blood from ending up thick and sticky. Olive oil, cinnamon and honey also have antibiotic properties.
Foods with Anti-Inflammatory and Antibiotic Bromelain
There is only one food on the planet that is known to contain bromelain, and that’s pineapple. Bromelain is an enzyme that helps in warding off inflammation, something that can increase your odds of having high blood pressure and developing blood clots. Bromelain also has antibiotic properties just like certain foods mentioned above.
