The human body is a complex multi-system of different organs, each with its own requirements and needs. Most of these requirements and needs are derived from substances dissolved in the blood. Hence, blood plays a vital role in ensuring the normal working of the different organs in the human body. Nutrients, gases, excreta and electrolytes are ferried in the blood, in different states. The tissues exchange their excreta for essential needs in the blood.
If the blood flow is impeded somewhere along the line, it can lead to dysfunction of several important processes in the body. Sometimes, blood clots may form in the blood vessels due to sluggish flow of blood, or perhaps obstruction in the path of flow. Blood clot inside the body can be really dangerous and is attributed to thrombosis and heart attack, which might ultimately lead to death. However, there are several natural substances in the body that prevent this harsh occurrence.
It has been discovered that certain foods also contain substances capable of maintaining adequate blood flow, and thus, ensuring the overall health of tissues in the body. Some of these foods are discussed shortly. Consider adding some of them to your grocery list next time you go shopping.
Ginger
Ginger is a popular spice used traditionally for cooking and medicinal purposes. It has been linked with a strong effect on the blood pressure, decreasing it, and improving blood at the same time. Ginger is actually known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It is said to reduce blood cholesterol and sugar levels. Ginger increases blood flow by relaxing blood vessels. [1]
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a very healthy fruit. Consuming the raw fruit, juice or supplement has been found helpful in cases of arteriosclerosis in which blood vessels harden. The seed of this fruit is imbued with a lot of beneficial compounds, from tannins and anthocyanins to high polyphenols and nitrates. The anthocyanin component is a potent antioxidant, which protects your delicate internal organs from the effects of free radicals. The polyphenols and nitrates are excellent vasodilators, they relax the muscle walls of vessels, in order to improve the flow of blood through them. [2]
Garlic
Garlic is an interesting spice with a lot of benefits and myth attached to its name. In short, eating it raw is a great way to maintaining health in several ways. Garlic is blessed with good portions of allicin and pyruvate. Those two compounds are essential to impeding the formation of blood clots in vivo, and decreasing the risk for certain cardiovascular diseases. Allicin has also been connected with a role in relaxing blood vessels. When blood vessels are relaxed, blood flows better through them, and blood pressure is kept optimal. [3]
Walnut
Walnut is beyond a snack, really. It is a robust combination of numerous healthy elements. Its l-arginine content is necessary for the production of nitric oxide in the endothelium of blood vessels. Now, nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator, and plays a vital role in increasing blood flow in cases of constriction or lack of nutrients in tissues. Walnut is rich in alpha- linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid which maintains the elasticity of blood vessels. A study revealed that people who consume walnut on a regular basis for up to 8 weeks would have reduced blood pressure and improved blood flow. [4]
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used as a spice for food, but it has several hidden benefits to the body. It has been found effective in dilating blood vessels, even the coronary arteries to the heart. By so doing, it opens up the vascular channels for improved blood flow. Cinnamon has also been associated with an effect in lowering blood pressure. [5]
Tomatoes
Aside the great taste they give to stews and salads, tomatoes are very nutritious in and out. They are rich sources of carotenoids, such as beta carotene. They also contain vitamin E in considerable quantities. Little wonder they have been known for their great antioxidant function in the body. Also, research has revealed that tomatoes are helpful to dilating blood vessels by inhibiting the activity of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) which functions to constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. This property includes tomatoes on the list of foods with blood flow improving potentials. [6]
Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne peppers are reddish bundles of great benefits. They play far greater roles in your diet than spicing it up. Cayenne peppers have been attributed to anti-thrombotic effects, that is, in preventing blood clot formation in the body. They are said to contain capsaicin, a potent vasodilator which also reduces blood pressure by stimulating the production of nitric oxide in the blood vessels. Recently, they are imbibed in some creams and ointments in order to increase blood flow to the area of application. [7]
Turmeric
Turmeric is a well-known spice, also popular for its anti-inflammatory role in the body. This is due to the confirmed presence of curcumin in turmeric. However, curcumin is also suspected to play a part in boosting the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels. For this reason, it is associated with increasing blood circulation in the vessels, and reducing blood pressure.
Onion
Onions are very rich in flavonoid anti-oxidants. These compounds are beneficial to maintaining normal function of myocardial cells. Recent studies have shown that onion can be a powerful dilator of blood vessels, hence improving circulation. In addition to its remarkable way of increasing blood flow, onion plays a crucial role in preventing inflammation of blood vessels. A daily consumption of this vegetable has been shown to give better results. [8]
Beets
Beet roots are highly beneficial to the body when consumed. They are rich in nitrates, which are essentially converted to nitric oxide in the body. The nitric oxide thus produced relaxes muscles in vascular walls, leading to and consequently improved blood flow. Sources have it that beet roots show great benefits in lowering systolic blood pressure (as seen in the first number in blood pressure readings). [9]
Wrap up
Below are other articles that you may be interested in:
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10 Foods That Might Ruin Your Health
Top 15 Best Foods to Increase Your White Blood Cells
Top 15 Foods High in Calcium You Should Know
