A healthy diet brings countless benefits to your well-being and is a key component in keeping up healthy circulation. If you suffer from varicose veins, it is likely that you have poor circulation. Fortunately, a variety of delicious foods can help to improve your circulatory system, and they’re easy to incorporate into any diet.
The Circulatory System
The circulatory system is a network of organs responsible for continuously supplying blood to the body through blood vessels. By adding foods that stimulate blood flow to your diet, you can naturally improve your circulation thanks to the vitamins and antioxidants found in these foods.
What foods should I be eating?
Eating a balanced diet that includes fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables will increase blood flow, but there are also specific superfoods that can give your circulation a boost. Some of these superfoods are:
- Pomegranate
Whether you choose to partake in the fruit itself or juice, pomegranate will help promote the dilation of blood vessels since it is packed with antioxidants and nitrates. They can easily be added to a salad or simply be eaten as a snack.
- Onions
Onions are known to be anti-inflammatory, so they can lessen the inflammation in your veins and arteries to increase blood flow.
- Blackberries
Blackberries encourage the formation of new blood cells while also removing contaminants in blood. You can mix them in with cereal or oatmeal to have a healthy breakfast.
- Garlic
Garlic is a blood thinner, meaning that it keeps blood from clotting. Because of this property, it is no surprise that it is beneficial in maintaining good circulation, particularly to your feet and hands.
- Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are filled with antioxidants, so incorporating fruits like grapefruit or oranges into your diet will leave you with strengthened capillary walls that will increase blood flow.
- Nuts
Consuming raw nuts such as almonds and walnuts can assist you in avoiding circulation problems. This is due to their high volume of vitamins A, B, C, and E. Nuts are high in iron and magnesium as well, which play a part in bettering circulation. Keep them on hand as a healthier option for whenever you are craving something salty!
- Ginger
Ginger increases blood circulation and lowers blood pressure by opening up blood vessels and allowing blood to pass through. Switch out your cup of coffee for some ginger tea every now and then to reap the benefits.
- Dark Chocolate
You may already be familiar with how the cocoa found in dark chocolate improves blood circulation. The compounds known as flavanols can trigger the lining of the arteries to produce nitric acid, which will relax the arteries. Indulge in some dark chocolate after your meal to help your circulation.
- Cayenne Pepper
Since it contains capsaicin, cayenne pepper is spicy, meaning that it is rich in vitamins A and C and encourages blood flow. Cayenne pepper boosts your metabolism as well and can be added to a variety of dishes like stews and salads.
- Watermelon
Watermelon has an abundant amount of lycopene, which can mitigate your heart disease risk. Lycopene contributes to the prevention of plaque build-up, which is what can get in the way of blood flow in the arteries.
Implementing a well-rounded diet may seem difficult at first, but with some planning and the addition of several of these superfoods, you will be on the right track to improving your circulation.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about vein treatment, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
