Poor blood circulation can occur due to a number of health conditions. These include peripheral artery disease or PAD, diabetes, and Raynaud’s disease. While these require treatments prescribed by healthcare professionals, eating certain foods to improve blood count and blood circulation can also help. These foods also benefit athletes and those who indulge in physical activities to improve recovery and stamina. Here are some of these few foods to add to everyday meals.
Broccoli
One of the healthiest cruciferous vegetables is broccoli, which is packed with several nutrients. It is a rich source of vitamin B9 or folate. This nutrient is important to increase the count of red blood cells in the body. Adding broccoli to salads, stir-fried meals, and other food options can help the body produce red blood cells quicker, thus improving blood count and blood circulation.
Bananas
Adding bananas to cereal or having banana smoothies is not just filling but also extremely good for blood. This is because bananas are one of the richest sources of potassium. Potassium can lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. This is especially helpful if there is an excess of sodium in the body. High levels of sodium can lead to high blood pressure. However, the presence of potassium in the bananas flushes the additional sodium through the urine. This helps to improve blood circulation.
Cayenne pepper
This bright red pepper adds spice to sauces, dips, and chili oil. In addition, it has tons of nutritional benefits too. These benefits come from the compound known as capsaicin that lends cayenne pepper its spicy hot flavor. This compound optimizes the functions of the arteries. As a result, the muscles in the blood vessels relax. This controls blood pressure and improves blood circulation.
Beetroot
This vibrant, colorful veggie is packed with fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. All of these help to improve blood cell count in the body. So it boosts oxygen supply to all the organs of the body. In addition, beetroot can help manage blood pressure, which also improves blood circulation.
Pomegranate
This fruit is high in nitrates and polyphenol antioxidants. These nutrients help manage blood count and blood circulation in the body. Whether having them as a whole fruit or in the form of juices, pomegranate is highly beneficial for good health.
