A nutritious diet is essential for anyone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle. This is especially true for people who have suffered from any diseases and conditions that have taken a toll on their body. Certain foods can trigger symptoms from a condition, or make a pre-existing conditions worse. This is also true for people who suffer from blood clots. They need to watch what foods they eat because some foods can be extremely harmful. Even though some foods can be harmful, there are other foods that can help prevent the development or reappearance of blood clots. Knowing what these foods are and implementing them into your diet will decrease your risk of developing blood clots. Here are five of the many foods and drinks that people who suffer from blood clots should try.
1.) Salmon
Salmon, as well as other fatty fish like anchovies, lake trout and mackerel, are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Both of these properties have blood thinning properties that are also known to be in the blood thinning medication that people take after suffering from blood clots. They will help reduce the risk of blood clots. You should try eating fatty fish like salmon twice a week. You can also take fish oil with the recommendation of your doctor.
2.) Garlic
This is good news for people who love to spice up their meals. Garlic is thought to have blood thinning properties that can prevent the onset of a blood clot. You can add garlic to foods, or even eat it on its own. Make sure to talk to your doctor about how much you should intake if you are already taking blood thinners. Since garlic is a natural blood thinner, garlic could interfere with blood thinning mediations that you are already taking.
3.) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVVO)
A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the phenols in virgin olive oil can help prevent blood clots, according to EverydayHealth.com. In the study, people who ate virgin olive oil with a high phenol content had lower levels of a substance that promotes blood clots. They also had lower levels of a blood clot promoter. Try dipping your bread in virgin olive oil, as well as use it when you are cooking your favorite recipe.
4.) Red Wine
Although this is not a food choice, the benefit of drinking red wine comes from the food source itself; grapes. There are substances called flavanoids in purple grapes that can help prevent blood clots by making platelets. You should only have one to two glasses at most when drinking wine in addition to your five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
5.) Water
Since most of the human body is made up of mostly water, it is essential that you drink a lot of it every day. Dehydration can cause the blood to thicken. This increases the risk of developing a blood clot. You should drink at least six eight-ounce glass of water in order to stay hydrated.
