Nitrate from leafy greens may thin the blood and help oxygen circulate around the body more efficiently, according to one of three studies conducted by the University of Cambridge and Southampton.
Vitamin K Helps Blood Clot (Thickens Blood)
This means that eating foods rich in vitamin K (primarily found in leafy green vegetables) can interact with blood thinning drugs, making them less effective. Therefore, it's important to talk with your doctor to make sure that your dosage is appropriate for your diet.
Foods High in Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps proteins bind to your blood cells, which allows them to stick together. That's why a deficiency in vitamin K can lead to excessive bleeding. Green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are high in vitamin K, as well as Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
Nitrogen, a chemical found in green leafy vegetables, plays a major role in delivering oxygen throughout the body by influencing blood thickness. A steady intake of nitrogen improves the body's oxygen delivery system.
Leafy green vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin K, which plays a key role in helping the blood to clot and prevent excessive bleeding. For example, three cups of arugula daily will supply 100% of what the body needs of vitamin K. It also contains eight times more calcium than iceberg lettuce.
Aspirin, a blood thinner, is also used. A class of medications called thrombolytics can dissolve clots even more quickly, but can increase the risk of bleeding. Doctors may also opt to perform surgery to remove the blood clot.
Don't: Eat the Wrong Foods
So you have to be careful about the amounts of kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, chard, or collard or mustard greens you eat. Green tea, cranberry juice, and alcohol can affect blood thinners, too.
Water helps to thin the blood, which in turn makes it less likely to form clots, explains Jackie Chan, Dr. P.H., the lead study author. But don't chug your extra H2O all at once. "You need to drink water throughout the day to keep your blood thin, starting with a glass or two in the morning," adds Dr.
Foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds, avocado, and spinach, can help dissolve blood clots. Vitamin E has anticoagulant properties and can help prevent blood clots from forming. It is recommended to consume foods rich in vitamin E regularly.
Dense with nutrients, broccoli is a healthy addition to any balanced diet. However, if you have a condition that requires you to take blood-thinning medication, you might want to be cautious. Broccoli doesn't thin your blood, but the vitamin K in broccoli can inhibit your anticoagulant medication.
This means that people who suffer from kidney stones or more severe conditions like oxalosis or hyperoxaluria may need to be mindful of their intake of certain leafy greens as well—especially spinach.
Eating leafy greens is generally good for the health. However, some greens, such as collards, spinach, and chard, contain large amounts of vitamin K that may interact with blood thinners and lessen their effect. According to a 2016 review , people who take blood thinners should not try to avoid vitamin K.
All the fruits in the berry-family, including strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries are significant blood thinners.
As it turns out, the answer is yes. Bananas are rich in potassium which keeps the heart-healthy. They lower blood pressure which helps improve blood flow. Pectin, which is also found in bananas, has blood-thinning effects and makes the bloodless susceptible to forming clots.
03/6Reduces the effect of blood thinners
Blood thinners are medicines that stop blood clots from forming or from getting larger. Spinach is loaded with vitamin K, a vitamin which plays a role in forming blood clots, therefore reducing the efficacy of blood thinners, allowing blood clots to thrive.
The increase in blood cells makes the blood thicker. Thick blood can lead to strokes or tissue and organ damage. Symptoms include lack of energy (fatigue) or weakness, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, visual disturbances, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual periods, and bruising.
"Lettuce should be crisp and firm. If it snaps when you break or cut it, it's fresh and good to go—even if it has some red areas," Ali says. "If your lettuce has black spots, is slimy, or smells bad, it's past its prime and should be tossed."
Lettuce is a fair source of folate, which is needed for healthy cells and the healthy growth of babies during pregnancy in order to prevent neural tube defects. Folate helps make healthy blood that keeps us from being tired.
Improve Blood Clotting
Iceberg lettuce is packed with Vitamin K, which has been shown to help with blood clotting.