How To Thin The Thick Blood | Top 10 Natural Blood Thinner Foods
When the viscosity of the blood is changed and it becomes both thicker and stickier, making it harder for the the circulation of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones and prevents them from being transferred successfully to tissues and cells throughout the body. Thick blood also hinders the transportation of wastes efficiently. Let's have a look on some common causes and risk factors for thickening of blood:
Common Causes and Risk Factors for Thickening of Blood
People with thick blood are more prone to develop blood clots. Blood clots are very serious, even life threatening because they may stop the flow of blood to the lungs, heart, and brain.
Blood-thinners(Anticoagulants) medications are often prescribed when a person is at risk of stroke or heart disease. Blood-thinners(Anticoagulants) are also prescribed for people with certain types of arrhythmias, and those who have had heart valve replacement surgery.
Blood thinners lower your chance of heart attack and stroke by reducing the risk of blood clotting in arteries and veins. Abnormal blood clot formation is very dangerous and can lead to stroke, palpitations, thrombosis, heart attack and high blood pressure.
However, you can use certain natural remedies and foods to somewhat thin your blood, if your doctor determines that medication is unnecessary. As with most medical conditions, the healthier and safest solution is to make some changes to your regular diet. By including some foods that are natural blood thinners, you can get the same benefits as a pharmaceutical blood thinner without the risk of side effects.
Once your medical specialist or doctor has cleared you for using natural blood thinners, you can check out the list below and when used in small and regular quantities, these foods can have powerful pharmacological effects on the tendency of blood to clot, which can help save us from many fatal problems.
Top 10 Natural Blood Thinner Foods
1. Onions (Payaz)
Onion are very helpful to prevent platelet aggregation as well as blood thinning. Onions contain adenosine, which acts as an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants prevent your blood from clotting. Eating raw onions is the best way to receive the benefits of onions. When eating fatty foods, don't forget to add raw onions ad salad, because the natural blood thinners in onions will help counteract the clot promoting powers of fatty foods.
2. Garlic (Lehsan)
Garlic acts as a natural blood thinner. It also helps to lower high blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. Garlic is also helpful in prevention of heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries through plaque buildup). Garlic lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thereby, reduce the risk of plaque formation and heart disease.
Avoid over-consumption of garlic cloves or garlic supplements because over- doses of garlic can cause upset stomach, bloating, bad breath and body odor. Sometimes it can also cause headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches and dizziness. Garlic supplements may also interfere with certain antiplatelet and blood-thinning medications. So it would be better if you consult a medical doctor before intake of garlic supplements.
3. Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger contains salicylate, an acid found in many plants. Acetyl salicylic acid, derived from salicylate and usually called aspirin, can help prevent stroke.
Ginger also possesses blood-thinning properties, as well as anti-inflammatory effects that may indirectly help thin blood, as inflammation can cause thicker blood. Ginger can be consumed in a variety of forms including fresh or dried root, extracts, capsules and teas.You can also use ginger in stir-fries, salads, even in juices to reduce inflammation in the body and thin blood.
4. Turmeric (Haldi)
For over a thousand years, turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes. Turmeric also plays an important role in blood thinning. Curcumin, in Turmeric works on platelets to prevent clots from forming. By adding turmeric to your food recipes it will help to manage clotting. You should use between 500 milligrams and 11 grams per day. Curcumin effects are similar to the anticoagulant drug Warfarin. Turmeric can help prevent blood clotting, acting as an antiplatelet. To avoid problems, don’t mix turmeric and anticoagulant drugs.
5. Cinnamon (Darcheeni)
Cinnamon contain coumarin, a chemical that acts as a powerful anticoagulant. Cinnamon blood thinner properties can be useful to keep circulation healthy and reduce the risk of blood clots. It can be used in beverages like tea, sprinkled on a wide variety of dishes, salads etc .
However, always use cinnamon with highly caution when using cinnamon as a blood thinner. Some studies show long-term cinnamon consumption in foods, including cinnamon-based breads and teas, can cause liver damage.
6. Cayenne Peppers (Laal Mirchi)
Cayenne peppers contains a good amount of salicylates that plays an important role in blood-thinning process. Cayenne peppers are considered the fastest-acting blood thinners. Cayenne peppers can be taken in capsules or easily ground up as a spice for food.
Cayenne pepper can also help break apart blood clots and provide some blood thinning benefits. The spice may benefit the cardiovascular system in another way as well, by promoting the thinning of the blood.
Note: Cayenne peppers are spicy hot and not for the faint hearted persons.
7. Pineapple (Ananas)
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which is a natural blood thinner, as it can help reduce the excessive adhesiveness of blood platelets. These blood thinning benefits can be increased if you combine pineapple with turmeric and ginger.
In addition to blood thinning benefits, bromelain is a wonderful digestive enzyme when taken with meals and helps break down proteins, protecting against the formation of uric acid crystals, which are responsible for causing gout and certain types of kidney stones.
8. Olive Oil (Zetoon Ka Tel)
Olive Oil is also considered highly beneficial in blood thinning process. The polyphenols present in olive oil are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant benefits, and can help keep your blood from getting too thick.
Antioxidants in olive oil fight free radicals and inflammation, which is great for thinning the blood.
9. Omega- 3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are very helpful to lower cholesterol levels and prevent from blood clotting. Fish oil is usually high in omega-3s and can be ingested either through fish oil capsules or by eating fatty fish. Animal-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are Salmon, Mackerel, Lake Trout, Herring and cod liver. Plant-based Omega-3 sources are Flaxseed oil, avocados, walnuts, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and are one of the best blood thinning foods.
10. Water
This may not sound like a blood thinner food but Water is considered one of the most effective blood thinners and it absolutely works. Water is really an excellent home remedy among natural blood thinners helping keep you clot free. Dehydration can lead to thickening of your blood, which increases your risk of developing a blood clot. The blood tends to thicken and clump when the body is dehydrated. Dehydration thickens the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots. Make sure that you drink 10-12 glasses of water throughout the day, on a daily basis to keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
Some Other Important Tips To Avoid Thickening Of Blood
Common Causes and Risk Factors for Thickening of Blood
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Dehydration (Lack of Water Intake)
- Certain Medications, including Birth Control Pills
- Inherited Blood Clotting Disorders
People with thick blood are more prone to develop blood clots. Blood clots are very serious, even life threatening because they may stop the flow of blood to the lungs, heart, and brain.
Blood-thinners(Anticoagulants) medications are often prescribed when a person is at risk of stroke or heart disease. Blood-thinners(Anticoagulants) are also prescribed for people with certain types of arrhythmias, and those who have had heart valve replacement surgery.
Blood thinners lower your chance of heart attack and stroke by reducing the risk of blood clotting in arteries and veins. Abnormal blood clot formation is very dangerous and can lead to stroke, palpitations, thrombosis, heart attack and high blood pressure.
However, you can use certain natural remedies and foods to somewhat thin your blood, if your doctor determines that medication is unnecessary. As with most medical conditions, the healthier and safest solution is to make some changes to your regular diet. By including some foods that are natural blood thinners, you can get the same benefits as a pharmaceutical blood thinner without the risk of side effects.
Once your medical specialist or doctor has cleared you for using natural blood thinners, you can check out the list below and when used in small and regular quantities, these foods can have powerful pharmacological effects on the tendency of blood to clot, which can help save us from many fatal problems.
1. Onions (Payaz)
2. Garlic (Lehsan)
Garlic acts as a natural blood thinner. It also helps to lower high blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. Garlic is also helpful in prevention of heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries through plaque buildup). Garlic lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thereby, reduce the risk of plaque formation and heart disease.
Avoid over-consumption of garlic cloves or garlic supplements because over- doses of garlic can cause upset stomach, bloating, bad breath and body odor. Sometimes it can also cause headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches and dizziness. Garlic supplements may also interfere with certain antiplatelet and blood-thinning medications. So it would be better if you consult a medical doctor before intake of garlic supplements.
3. Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger contains salicylate, an acid found in many plants. Acetyl salicylic acid, derived from salicylate and usually called aspirin, can help prevent stroke.
Ginger also possesses blood-thinning properties, as well as anti-inflammatory effects that may indirectly help thin blood, as inflammation can cause thicker blood. Ginger can be consumed in a variety of forms including fresh or dried root, extracts, capsules and teas.You can also use ginger in stir-fries, salads, even in juices to reduce inflammation in the body and thin blood.
4. Turmeric (Haldi)
5. Cinnamon (Darcheeni)
Cinnamon contain coumarin, a chemical that acts as a powerful anticoagulant. Cinnamon blood thinner properties can be useful to keep circulation healthy and reduce the risk of blood clots. It can be used in beverages like tea, sprinkled on a wide variety of dishes, salads etc .
However, always use cinnamon with highly caution when using cinnamon as a blood thinner. Some studies show long-term cinnamon consumption in foods, including cinnamon-based breads and teas, can cause liver damage.
6. Cayenne Peppers (Laal Mirchi)
Cayenne peppers contains a good amount of salicylates that plays an important role in blood-thinning process. Cayenne peppers are considered the fastest-acting blood thinners. Cayenne peppers can be taken in capsules or easily ground up as a spice for food.
Cayenne pepper can also help break apart blood clots and provide some blood thinning benefits. The spice may benefit the cardiovascular system in another way as well, by promoting the thinning of the blood.
Note: Cayenne peppers are spicy hot and not for the faint hearted persons.
7. Pineapple (Ananas)
In addition to blood thinning benefits, bromelain is a wonderful digestive enzyme when taken with meals and helps break down proteins, protecting against the formation of uric acid crystals, which are responsible for causing gout and certain types of kidney stones.
8. Olive Oil (Zetoon Ka Tel)
Olive Oil is also considered highly beneficial in blood thinning process. The polyphenols present in olive oil are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant benefits, and can help keep your blood from getting too thick.
Antioxidants in olive oil fight free radicals and inflammation, which is great for thinning the blood.
9. Omega- 3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are very helpful to lower cholesterol levels and prevent from blood clotting. Fish oil is usually high in omega-3s and can be ingested either through fish oil capsules or by eating fatty fish. Animal-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are Salmon, Mackerel, Lake Trout, Herring and cod liver. Plant-based Omega-3 sources are Flaxseed oil, avocados, walnuts, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and are one of the best blood thinning foods.
10. Water
This may not sound like a blood thinner food but Water is considered one of the most effective blood thinners and it absolutely works. Water is really an excellent home remedy among natural blood thinners helping keep you clot free. Dehydration can lead to thickening of your blood, which increases your risk of developing a blood clot. The blood tends to thicken and clump when the body is dehydrated. Dehydration thickens the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots. Make sure that you drink 10-12 glasses of water throughout the day, on a daily basis to keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
Some Other Important Tips To Avoid Thickening Of Blood
- (i) Avoid foods and supplements that encourage blood clotting, including alfalfa, avocado, cat's claw, coenzyme Q10, and dark leafy greens such as spinach, foods rich in vitamin K, saturated fats, and cultured foods with live bacteria that synthesize vitamin K in the intestinal tract.
- (ii) All blood thinning foods should be used with care, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. If you are taking aspirin, blood thinners such as warfarin or clopidogrel, or are planning to have surgery, make sure to consult your doctor before adding onion, garlic, turmeric, ginger or any other blood-thinning food to your diet.
- (iii) Exercise is also play an important role in blood thinning because it helps facilitate blood flow to organs and reduce the chances of blood clotting. Exercise and regular physical activity helps to reduce the levels of vitamin K in your body. Intense exercise is responsible for reduced levels of vitamin K in the blood. You can start with moderate easy workout routines. Start with 5 to 10 minutes of warm up, before an aerobic session of 30 to 45 minutes. Try swimming, aerobic or high-intensity strengthening exercises to reduce your cholesterol levels which is important for blood thinning.
- (iv) Before you try using any of the above tip to help thin your blood, make sure that you check with your health practitioner or medical doctor to avoid the risk of any complications or negative reactions with existing medications.