Good blood flow is a must for everyone. Poor circulation can lead to all sorts of terrible problems. This includes diabetes and the risk of a heart attack or stroke. One issue that may happen as a result of this problem are varicose veins. Sufferers may have veins that are dilated, large and have too much blood. They may feel swollen to the touch. These kind of veins can also be quite painful and make it very hard for people to engage in important daily activities such as walking and other forms of exercise.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Given how many problems this condition can cause, many people would like to know how to combat it. Varicose veins often happen as a result of an underlying and highly serious physical problem such as high blood pressure. Damaged valves can lead to issues with circulation in the rest of the body. A person’s legs may become swollen with veins that are large and unpleasant because the blood flow is backed up because it is not flowing as it should. The veins can be become stretched. They can also weaken over time. That can further damage the veins in your legs.
Combatting This Condition
While varicose veins can be a problem, there are steps that people can take to help combat this issue. You might be at risk of this condition under many circumstances. This applies to people who are overweight as well as people who smoke. The condition can also strike pregnant women and women in general as they get older. There are steps that you can take to help keep your veins in better shape. Proper attention to your diet is particularly crucial. You don’t need to diet to get great results. Scientists have shown that eating certain foods can help keep your veins in good shape, increase blood flow and improve your circulation.
Foods to Help Blood Flow & Circulation
If you are having problems with varicose veins, here’s a list of food to add to your diet.
Garlic
Garlic is one of those foods that everyone should ideally consume on a routine basis. That’s because garlic has many known benefits. One of the most important is decreased blood pressure. Garlic has sulfur compounds. These are actually known to help dilate your blood vessels. If you have problems with blood flow to your veins, consider adding garlic to your food. You can use garlic powder to add a kick. People who consumed 1,200 mg of garlic tablets twice a day also saw a reduction in their blood pressure. Roasting garlic in the oven for twenty minutes is another easy way to increase the blood flow.
Pomegranates and Pomegranate Juice
Beautiful elegant pomegranates have long been favoured by many cultures. Now studies are showing another benefit is possible when consuming the fruit or the juice. A pomegranate has polyphenol antioxidants. It also has nitrates. Both of these compounds are known to have a powerful effect on your blood vessels. This can bring more blood to every part of your body including your legs. Consuming the seeds has ben shown to help with workouts and recovery. The juice can also help with muscle soreness. Adding 1,000 mg of pomegranate extract at least twice a week can help improve your body’s circulation and reduce the risk of varicose veins.
Cayenne Pepper
If you love spicy foods, there’s another reason to add them to your diet. The peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. It has been shown to promote decreased blood pressure by promoting blood flow to the rest of the body. That’s because it releases a chemical called nitric oxide. It helps by relaxing all those tiny vessels that lead to the rest of the body. That improves the overall strength of your blood vessels and leads to even more circulation from the heart to the rest of your body. You can use this food in many varied ways. Make sure to keep a supply of it on hand then sprinkle it on your favourite foods.
Onions
Onions add lots of innate flavour to any dish you make. Onions also offer another marvellous benefit – flavonoid antioxidants. That helps your heart beat better. Onions also help reduce the body’s overall inflammation. In doing so, they can improve your body’s circulation. Add lots of chopped onions as a topping to your favourite salad. If you don’t have time to take raw onion and cook them, you can also choose onion extract. Studies show that it can work just as well as dilating blood vessels as any other version.
Fatty Fish
Eating fish is a great idea. Fish contain many useful nutrients. This is particularly true if you are trying to improve your overall circulation and health. While all types of fish have lots of benefits, there’s one kind of fish that deserves special attention if you are concerned with varicose veins. Fish with lots of fat such as salmon and maceral are especially good for those with issues with blood circulation. Scientists have discovered they have what are known as omega-3 fatty acids. These acids increase the amount of nitric oxide in your blood. As they do so, they improve blood flow to all areas of the body including the legs. If you don’t have time to run to the fish mongers, fish oil supplements can be equally useful.
Nuts of All Kinds
Nuts are fun and tasty. They’re also something to add to your diet right now. Studies have shown that many nuts have nutrients such as Vitamin E that are known to promote heart health. One of the best types of nuts that you can add to your diet are walnuts. Walnuts are particularly high in amino acids. They also contain potassium, nitric acid and calcium as well as lots of magnesium. All of these substances are known to help reduce inflammation and thus lead to healthier circulation. Bring out the flavour and even more nutrients by toasting them. Then add to a salad or munch on them for a snack at least once a week.
Citrus Fruit
Take advantage of the many benefits of these fruits and bring a bag of lemons, oranges or limes home today. All citrus fruits have flavonoids. Flavonoids can reduce the inflammation that is a source of varicose veins. That will lead to increased nitric oxide production as well as reducing stiffness. If you are looking for food to add to your diet to help those varicose veins, add a grapefruit to your breakfast cereal and have an orange as afternoon snack.
Many Type of Berries
If you’re looking for something that’s nutritious, sweet, delicious and ideal when you’re trying to become healthier, berries make a great option. This applies to just about every single berry on the shelves. That includes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries. They all contain lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to help improve the circulation of your blood and decrease your overall blood pressure. This applies to fresh berries as well as canned berries. Berries can also reduce your heart rate and thus decrease your risk of a stroke or heart attack. They help improve your arterial dilation and blood flow. Grab strawberries when you want an afternoon snack. Add blueberries to your morning breakfast routine.
Beetroot
These jewel like vegetable are a gem to add to your weekly shopping basket. Beetroots have a lot of nitrates. That means a lot of nitric acid. Nitric acid opens the blood vessels. Cook beetroots until they’re well roasted and add them to a salad or serve as a side dish. If you’re not in the mood for beetroot, you can find other ways to get the many advantages they bring to your diet. A glass of chilled beetroot juice is refreshing on a hot day. It’s also packed with nutrients that can help reduce your blood pressure and decrease your painful varicose veins.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of nature’s most amazing foods. These incredibly versatile vegetables are ideal for just about anything you have in mind from a fresh salad to a glorious sauce. If you have a problem with varicose veins, there’s even more of a reason to consume them. That’s because tomatoes actually have a similar effect on the body as a common high blood pressure medication. They open up the blood vessels of your heart and increase your circulation. Bring on the tomatoes in any form and help combat your varicose veins today.
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