5 Foods For Healthier Blood And A Happy Body
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When focusing on keeping healthy, most people don’t even take the health of their blood into account. All that’s focused on is having a fit body! But that’s really not enough if what’s pumping through your veins is full of impurities.
Blood is not just a connective tissue (1). Healthy blood helps in preventing skin problems such as acne and blemishes as well other health issues such as anemia, cancer, platelet disorders and many more (2). So, if you truly want to have a fit and happy body that is free of diseases, you need to keep your blood healthy. Which means eating right!
However, before we tell you about the kind of foods you should eat to keep your blood healthy, let us give you a lowdown on this connective tissue so you understand better what works and what doesn’t.
The Blood Basics
As you know, blood is a connective tissue that is made up of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. It is transferred to the various parts of your body via veins, capillaries, arteries, ventricles, and the atria.
On an average, your body is made up of 4.5 to 6 liters of blood, which can vary in color and consistency. Typically, though, your blood is either light, which means it has high oxygen levels, or it’s dark red, which means it’s low in oxygen. The temperature of your blood stands at 38°C – slightly warmer than the temperature of your body.
As to where blood forms in your body, the production of blood takes place in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue that is found inside certain bones in your body, such as the bones in your skill, your hip bone as well as your sternum (3).
The Contents Of Healthy Blood
If your blood is free of impurities and is healthy, you will find it to be rich in the following (4):
- Nutrients
- Oxygen
- Hormones
- Carbon dioxide
- Antibodies
- Vitamins
- Electrolytes
- Heat
The Minerals And Vitamins Needed For The Formation Of Healthy Blood
Very specific minerals and vitamins go into the making of healthy blood. So, if you want your blood to function in top-form, you need to make sure that your diet contains:
- Vitamin E: This vitamin helps in increasing the resistance of your red blood cells.
- Vitamin C: This one helps in the proper absorption of iron.
- Vitamin K: This is needed for the coagulation of your blood in case of injuries.
- Vitamin B12: This vitamin is important for the maturation of your red blood cells.
- Folic Acid: It is vital for the maturation of white blood cells and red blood cells.
- Iodine: Your blood needs this mineral to boost the formation of platelets and red blood cells.
- Zinc: This helps in the production of white blood cells.
- Cobalt: This is necessary for the formation of both red blood cells and hemoglobin.
- Copper: It makes sure that plenty of iron is available for the production of red blood cells.
- Iron: This mineral is vital for hemoglobin production.
The 5 Foods You Need In Your Diet For Healthy Blood
Now that you know everything you need to know about the crimsonness pumping through your veins, let us tell you all about the foods you need in order to keep your blood healthy!
1. Liver
Liver is an overall healthy food that is rich in vitamin A as well as other vitamins, which help in improving the appearance and texture of your skin. Additionally, liver’s high iron content also helps in boosting the production of hemoglobin in your body. And its low-fat content helps in the supply of folic acid to the cells for proper cell division.
2. Egg
Even if you’re not a non-vegetarian, being an ‘eggetarian’ is almost a must! Eggs are full of minerals, proteins, and vitamins, which help in keeping your blood healthy. The yolk of the egg contains a particular substance known as ‘lecithin,’ which helps in cleansing your arteries of fat and plaque. Moreover, the choline in eggs boosts the performance of your nervous system, while the multitude of vitamins and minerals it contains contribute to making blood healthy.
3. Veggies
Okay, if you’re the kind for whom meat is out of the question and so are eggs, turn to the plate of veggies in front of you. Veggies that are rich in protein (spinach, sprouts, mushroom, peas, etc.), iron (lentils, beans, grains) and vitamin B as well as magnesium and potassium can improve the health of your blood (5).
4. Nuts
The calorie content of nuts might be high but they’re steeped in nutrients that can make your blood healthy if you consume them in moderation. The omega-3 fatty acids along with the multitude of vitamins and minerals that nuts contain, such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, etc. help in controlling glucose and fat levels in your blood.
5. Potatoes
Since they’re so high in energy, your body needs potatoes to keep its engine running – but in limits. Potatoes contain high amounts of folic acid and vitamin B, which you already know are necessary for the production of your blood cells (6). Also, the vitamin B6 in potatoes helps in preventing the inflammation of your arteries (7).
Making these foods a part of your plate on a daily basis can make a significant difference to the health of your blood. Just remember that moderation is key!
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