Blood circulation is vital for the efficient functioning of the human body. The red blood cells supply energy to various organs in the human body as they are circulated around. This energy is essential to each cell in the body to grow and carry out its functions. Poor blood flow in the body affects our daily activities and may also lead to some serious health conditions. So, what is blood circulation and how to improve blood circulation in the human body? Let us look at the various aspects of the circulatory system and the best ways to increase blood flow to various organs in our body.
* Cayenne PepperCayenne pepper is available as a dried spice or fresh pepper. It contains capsaicin which is known to stimulate the blood circulation. Cayenne pepper has lots of health benefits includes improving blood circulation.Cayenne also strengthens the arteries and capillaries and stimulates the heart. Fresh cayenne juice can be used as a dressing in salads, added to sauces. The powdered dried spice used in curries, stews, meat dishes. In case you are using blood-thinning medications, be mindful in consuming cayenne as capsaicin is found to be a mild blood thinner.
* Citrus Fruits and BerriesBest fruits for improving blood circulation are citrus and berries. Citrus fruits such as oranges are high in vitamin C, which is very good for strengthening the capillary walls. Vitamin C also acts as a natural blood thinner which helps in preventing the build-up of plaque in the capillaries that result in poor blood circulation. Berries are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which is very helpful for healthy blood flow. Acai Berries are rich in vitamin A, potassium and filled with powerful plant sterols which help in relaxing the blood vessels and also improving the circulation.
* PomegranatePomegranates have high amounts of polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates, which are powerful vasodilators. Pomegranates juice is one of the drinks that increase blood flow greatly. It also aids in oxygenation of muscle tissues. Consuming 500ml of Pomegranate juice a day has been known to increase blood vessel diameter and improves blood circulation of people who work out. It has also been found to reduce muscle damage, soreness and inflammation in weight trainers.
* OnionOnions are known to be natural blood thinners. They reduce inflammation and relax the arteries, thereby improving the blood circulation. Onions are also considered one of the best foods for improving heart health. They are a great source of flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that are known to strengthen the immune system and prevent cardiovascular diseases. A study found that consuming 4.3 gm of onion extract per day improved the dilation of the arteries and blood flow significantly.
* GarlicGarlic is known to benefit heart and circulation. It has a sulfur compound called allicin which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Allicin is also very effective in increasing blood flow in the tissues. Garlic also improves flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), which is an indicator of efficient blood flow. Garlic is also very effective in preventing the build-up of plaque and cleaning the blood. Consuming garlic supplements containing 2400 mg of allicin per day is found to improve blood circulation significantly through the artery of the upper arm.