Women health

14 Foods That Improve Blood Flow and Circulation

Circulation problems are frequent and can be caused by a variety of factors.

Poor circulation can be caused by a variety of factors, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), diabetes, obesity, smoking, and Raynaud's illness.

Pain, muscle cramps, numbness, digestive difficulties, and coldness in the hands and feet are all indicators of reduced blood flow.

Athletes and active people, in addition to those with weak circulation, may seek to boost blood flow to improve exercise performance and recuperation.

Although drugs are frequently used to treat circulatory problems, certain foods can also help to enhance blood flow.

The 14 best foods for improving blood flow are listed below.

1.    1.The Cayenne Pepper

Capsaicin, a phytochemical found in cayenne pepper is responsible for its spicy flavor.

Capsaicin increases blood flow to tissues by reducing blood pressure and promoting the generation of nitric oxide and other vasodilators (chemicals that help blood vessels widen).

Vasodilators relax the small muscles in blood vessel walls, allowing blood to flow more freely through your veins and arteries.

Cayenne pepper consumption has been shown to improve circulation, blood vessel strength, and artery plaque development in studies.

Furthermore, because they can promote blood flow to the affected area, these spicy peppers are widely included in pain-relieving treatments.

2. Pomegranate

Pomegranates are delicious, juicy fruits that are strong in polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates, both of which are powerful vasodilators.

Pomegranate juice, raw fruit, or supplementation may enhance blood flow and oxygenation of muscle tissue, which may be beneficial to athletes.

Ingesting 1,000 mg of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before working out boosted blood flow, blood vessel diameter, and exercise performance in 19 active persons, according to a study.

In another the study, elite weightlifters who drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of pomegranate juice daily during or before weight training experienced less discomfort, muscular damage, and inflammation (10).

3. Onions

Onions are high in flavonoid antioxidants, which are beneficial to heart health.

When blood flow rises, this vegetable helps your arteries and veins enlarge, which promotes circulation.

Taking 4.3 grams of onion extract daily for 30 days enhanced blood flow and arterial dilatation after meals in 23 males in research.

Onions also have anti-inflammatory characteristics that can help to improve blood flow and heart health by lowering inflammation in veins and arteries.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a warming spice with a long list of health advantages, including improved blood flow.

Cinnamon increased blood vessel dilatation and blood flow in the coronary artery, which delivers blood to the heart, in animal experiments.

When compared to rats in the control group, rats fed 91 mg per pound (200 mg per kg) of body weight of cinnamon bark extract daily for eight weeks had superior heart performance and coronary artery blood flow following intense exercise.

Cinnamon can also effectively lower blood pressure in individuals by relaxing blood arteries, according to a study. This boosts circulation and keeps your heart in good shape.

After 12 weeks, 1,200 mg of cinnamon per day lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) by an average of 3.4 mmHg in 59 persons with type 2 diabetes.

5. Garlic

Garlic is well-known for its cardiovascular and circulatory benefits.

Garlic, notably its sulfur components, which include allicin, has been shown in studies to enhance tissue blood flow and reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.

In fact, garlic-rich diets are linked to improved flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), a measure of blood flow efficiency.

In a study of 42 persons with coronary artery disease, those who took garlic powder tablets with 1,200 mg of allicin twice daily for three months saw a 50% improvement in blood flow via the upper arm artery when compared to those who took a placebo.

6. Fatty Fish

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel.

These fats are particularly good for circulation because they encourage the generation of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Omega-3 fats also prevent platelets in your blood from sticking together, which can cause a blood clot.

Furthermore, fish oil supplements have been related to lower blood pressure and enhanced skeletal muscle blood flow during and after exercise.

For example, high doses of fish oil — 4.2 grams daily for four weeks — dramatically enhanced blood flow to the legs following exercise in a study of ten healthy males.

7. Beets

Many athletes use beet juice or powder as a supplement to help them perform better.

Beets contain a lot of nitrates, which your body converts to nitric oxide. Blood arteries relax and blood flow to muscle tissue increases when nitric oxide is present.

Supplementing with beet juice improves oxygen flow in muscle tissue, stimulates blood flow, and raises nitric oxide levels, all of which can help you perform better.

Beets enhance blood flow in elderly persons with circulatory problems, in addition to benefiting athletes.

8. Turmeric

One of turmeric's many health benefits is increased blood flow.

Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to expand blood arteries and increase blood circulation since ancient times.

Curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, has been shown in studies to aid improve nitric oxide production, reduce oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation.

Taking 2,000 mg of curcumin daily for 12 weeks resulted in a 37 percent increase in forearm blood flow and a 36 percent rise in upper arm blood flow in a trial of 39 participants.

In 12-person research, those who drank 5 ounces (140 ml) of nitrate-rich beet juice daily saw significant reductions in blood pressure, clotting time, and blood vessel inflammation.

9. Leafy Greens

Nitrates are found in leafy greens like spinach and collard greens, which your body turns to nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator.

Nitrate-rich diets may improve circulation by dilapidating blood vessels and allowing blood to flow more freely.

When compared to a control group, those who had high-nitrate (845 mg) spinach daily for seven days saw significant improvements in blood pressure and blood flow.

Furthermore, studies show that those who eat a traditional Chinese diet rich in nitrate-rich vegetables like Chinese cabbage had lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart disease than persons who eat a standard Western diet.

9. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are high in antioxidants such as flavonoids.

Citrus fruits high in flavonoids may reduce inflammation in the body, lowering blood pressure and artery stiffness while boosting blood flow and nitric oxide generation.

When compared to a control group, those who drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of blood orange juice every day for one week experienced significant improvements in arterial dilation and big reductions in inflammation markers like IL-6 and CRP.

Additionally, eating citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit on a daily basis has been linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke.

11. Walnuts

Walnuts are high in beneficial components including l-arginine, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and vitamin E, which all promote nitric oxide generation.

Walnuts may lower blood pressure, enhance blood vessel function, and reduce inflammation, which may be especially beneficial for diabetics.

Due to blood vessel damage caused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels, people with diabetes frequently experience circulation problems and high blood pressure.

In a study of 24 diabetics, those who ate 2 ounces (56 grams) of walnuts each day for eight weeks saw significant increases in blood flow compared to those who did not.

12. Tomatoes

Tomatoes may assist to lower the activity of the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which causes blood vessels to constrict in order to control blood pressure

Tomato extract, according to research, functions in a similar way to ACE inhibitors, widening blood vessels and enhancing blood flow.

Tomato extract has been shown in test tubes to suppress ACE, reduce inflammation, and disrupt platelet aggregation, all of which can improve circulation.

13. Berries

Berries are especially healthful since they include antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may improve blood flow.

Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure, causing circulatory problems.

Berries have been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, platelet aggregation, and blood levels of inflammatory indicators like IL-6, as well as improve arterial dilation, according to research.

14. Ginger

Ginger, which has been used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years can also help to decrease blood pressure and improve circulation.

Ginger has been demonstrated to lower high blood pressure, which has a detrimental impact on blood flow, in both human and animal studies.

Those who drank the most ginger — 2–4 grams per day — had the lowest chance of having high blood pressure in a study of 4,628 participants.

According to animal research, ginger operates by blocking AC.

Other Ways

While adding any of these foods to your diet can help with circulation, another lifestyle modifications may have a greater influence.

Other lifestyle changes that can help improve blood flow include:

To stop smoking:

Smoking is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, and can wreak havoc on circulation.

Boost your physical activity:

Exercise improves vasodilation and promotes blood flow. Furthermore, frequent exercise lowers your risk of developing heart disease.

 Lose Weight:

Obesity has a detrimental impact on blood flow and can lead to serious consequences including plaque formation in the arteries.

Maintain a healthy diet:

Rather than stocking up on certain items, try moving to a diet rich in nutritious, complete foods like veggies, good fats, and fiber-rich meals, which can help with circulatory health.

Keep yourself hydrated:

Hydration is essential for good health in all areas, including circulation. Dehydration damages endothelial cells and promotes inflammation in the body, causing blood flow to be restricted.

Reduce your stress levels:

Stress levels have been shown to have a considerable impact on blood pressure in studies. Yoga, meditation, gardening, or spending time in nature can help you manage your stress.

Following is a summary of the information presented.

Natural techniques to increase circulation include eating a good diet, exercising, lowering weight, stopping smoking, staying hydrated, and minimizing stress.

Choosing meals that encourage blood flow is one of several natural approaches to improve circulation.

The antioxidants, nitrates, vitamins, and other nutrients included in the foods listed above can help your circulation.

Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle that includes quitting smoking, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a well-balanced diet will improve blood flow and general health.


 

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post