The formation of blood clots is necessary to prevent large blood loss during injury and for wound healing. However, the formation of clots in the bloodstream, called thrombi, can lead to dangerous complications such as heart attack or stroke.
It has been proven that thrombosis is one of the most common causes of premature death worldwide. “To prevent the formation of blood clots, there are special medications that thin the blood and slow down the process of blood clotting - anticoagulants,” says Cristina Ruggieri, dietician, nutritionist . - Such drugs are usually prescribed to patients with certain cardiovascular diseases, such as deep vein thrombosis, irregular heart rhythm and blood vessel diseases. However, anticoagulants have serious side effects. There is evidence that they can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. A safe alternative to medications are natural blood thinners—foods that have an anticoagulant effect, such as turmeric, ginger, and cayenne pepper. It must be said that the substances they contain are often used in the same pharmaceutical preparations against thrombosis. However, natural blood thinners are much gentler on the body.”
Since many natural anticoagulants are spices, seasonings and herbs, they are easy to incorporate into your diet, adding them to foods and drinks for added flavor and flavor.
If you have any cardiovascular disease and are taking anticoagulants, be sure to talk to your doctor before using natural blood thinners. This should also be done if you want to take dietary supplements based on them in the form of capsules or extracts: the concentration of active substances in them is much higher.
Turmeric
This popular spice acts as a natural anticoagulant and has antiplatelet properties. The study, published in the journal BMB Reports, found that curcumin, a beneficial polyphenol found in turmeric, inhibits thrombin. This enzyme plays an important role in the blood coagulation system. Researchers have concluded that regular consumption of curry, a famous oriental seasoning based on turmeric, can help prevent the development of thrombosis.
Foods that thin the blood and dissolve blood clots
The health of the cardiovascular system directly depends on your diet. In most cases, it is due to an incorrect diet that the elasticity of blood vessels is impaired, their walls are damaged and blood clots appear.
Another reason for the formation of blood clots is a blood clotting disorder. It can occur due to genetic predisposition, metabolic disorders or hormonal imbalance.
Due to too high viscosity, platelets actively stick together and form blood clots. They can also form when staying in one position for a long time without moving.
Nutrition is a real way that can prevent thrombosis and dissolve formed clots. We will talk about products that can thin the blood and clear it of blood clots.
Red hot pepper
If you regularly eat this type of pepper, it will briefly speed up the process of dissolving blood clots. This effect is observed only within half an hour after eating food seasoned with hot spices.
Ginger
The active substances contained in ginger are similar in their chemical composition to aspirin, a popular blood thinner.
Raspberries
The benefits of this berry lie not only in the berries, but also in the leaves. They contain vitamins, antioxidants and tannins. A large amount of vitamin C strengthens and increases the elasticity of blood vessels.
Cranberry
It strengthens blood vessels and reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis. If you regularly consume cranberries or jam, the risk of blood clots is minimized.
Sea buckthorn
It has a strong anti-atherosclerotic effect, cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol plaques and restores their elasticity, and acts as a preventive measure for coronary heart disease.
Sea buckthorn juice increases the level of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in the blood, protects cell membranes, and also alleviates painful processes occurring in liver cells.
The simplest ways to prevent thrombosis
Every day, 10 minutes before meals, eat a couple of slices of grapefruit, which perfectly cleanses blood vessels. A glass of tomato juice a day will reduce the stickiness of platelets, and if you eat a carrot every day, this will strengthen the walls of blood vessels, prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce the likelihood of a stroke.
Fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and vitamin C, reduce the likelihood of blood clots. Therefore, vegetarians have less viscous blood than meat eaters.
Blood Thickening Products
Buckwheat, walnuts, potatoes and bananas are good for the body, but their consumption must be limited.
But it is better to avoid fatty, smoked and too salty foods. The list of unhealthy foods also includes fatty meat broths, baked goods, baked goods and sweets, and alcohol.
Cayenne pepper
The fiery seasoning contains salicylates, a natural blood thinning agent valued for its pronounced antithrombotic effect. “In addition, cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a substance that has been shown in several studies to have lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic properties,” says Cristina Ruggieri. - It is also useful for obesity. Cayenne pepper is often taken in capsule form for cardiovascular health and stimulating circulation.”
Medicinal recipes based on it
Ginger is used fresh, dried, and even after heat treatment. In each specific case, it is better to choose your own cooking option.
- Ginger tea. In order for the root vegetable to fully release all its beneficial properties, you need to grate it on a fine grater and brew a teaspoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water on top. After steeping for 10-15 minutes, you can add lemon and honey - also blood thinners.
- Decoction. To prepare it, chop 10 g of root with a knife and add 100 ml of water. Boil under a closed lid for 15 minutes, then infuse, cool and filter. You need to drink this drug 4 tablespoons a day on an empty stomach.
- Tea with cinnamon and lemon. With a liter of water, brought not to a boil, but to a “white key” state, brew a tablespoon of green tea, chopped medium-sized ginger root, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Leave for 20 minutes, add the juice of half a lemon and honey. The resulting infusion is drunk little by little over two days.
- Ginger juice . This is a concentrated and very strong remedy that can be used anywhere like grated ginger, but primarily for the treatment of inflammatory diseases during colds. The easiest way to prepare juice is through a juicer suitable for working with root vegetables, or by grating it on a fine grater and squeezing it through cheesecloth. The juice acts as a strong natural antibiotic if you drink it in its pure form, a teaspoon with the addition of a small amount of salt. Ginger juice is also an effective remedy for stomatitis and toothache.
- Essential oil. It can be purchased at the pharmacy chain. Take one drop per teaspoon of honey after meals. Frequency - depending on the condition and individual tolerance.
Cinnamon
The spice, beloved by many, is rich in coumarin, a powerful natural anticoagulant that is used to produce anti-thrombosis drugs. There is especially a lot of coumarin in Chinese cinnamon - cassia. However, experts do not recommend using coumarin-based nutritional supplements, especially for a long time. Studies have shown that increased amounts of coumarin can lead to liver problems. To prevent thrombosis, simply add an aromatic spice to food and drinks.
Ginger
Like cayenne pepper, ginger contains salicylates, which studies have shown to cause a mild anticoagulant reaction without causing bleeding complications. “However, experts caution against the simultaneous use of ginger-based nutritional supplements and medications for thrombosis,” says Cristina Ruggieri. — There are scientific works proving that such a combination may not be safe. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor."
Beet
Blood clots can be prevented by regularly including beets in your diet. “The red-purple root vegetable contains chlorogenic acid,” says Christina Ruggieri. “This chemical compound has been shown to break up blood clots and inhibit the enzymatic activity of procoagulant proteins and peptides.” The study results were published in the Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology. It must be said that so far the experiment was on laboratory animals, but experts have high hopes for chlorogenic acid as a potentially effective remedy for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis.
Ginger for thrombophlebitis
For varicose veins, it can be used both for internal use and in the form of compresses. Tea infused with a small slice of root is an effective remedy for the prevention of vein diseases , their inflammation at different stages, and helps improve blood circulation.
Compresses for thrombophlebitis are made from the roots of the spice in combination with honey.
To do this, the root is grated with a fine grater, mixed with a beekeeping product and applied to the inflamed area. It is enough to keep the compress for three hours or a little longer, wrapped in a blanket.
Garlic
Eating garlic daily may be beneficial in preventing thrombosis. There is evidence that this popular seasoning is a good anticoagulant. In addition, garlic can be combined with medications prescribed to thin the blood. The safety of using garlic extract along with medications was assessed in the study. Experts concluded that this does not pose a serious risk to patients. However, such combination therapy should be under medical supervision.
Ginger root for thrombosis
Since blood clots are a consequence of blood thickening, ginger, as a good remedy for thinning it, is very useful for thrombosis. Coumarins, contained in large quantities in the roots, prevent the formation of clots and thin the blood. And gingerol has the ability to dissolve already formed blood clots.
The spice is taken as part of teas; you can simply include it in your diet as part of various dishes.
Tea with spicy root and honey with the addition of cinnamon and lemon slices is very useful for those suffering from thrombosis. It is best to take this remedy in the morning during breakfast.
Important! When using ginger to thin the blood, you must remember that it has a number of contraindications and cannot be combined with some pharmacological drugs.
Avocado
The fruit with its tender, oily pulp is rich in vitamin E, which is a natural blood thinner due to its good anticoagulant effect. This has been proven in several studies. To prevent the development of thrombosis, you can use other natural sources of vitamin E - almonds, sunflower seeds, bamboo, broccoli, mango. By regularly including these foods in your diet, you will reduce the risk of developing blood clots and prevent heart and blood vessel diseases.
It is important not only to include healthy foods in your diet, but also to avoid those that cause harm to the body. These are, first of all, products that contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats. Avoid carbonated drinks and excessive alcohol consumption.
Simple recipes at home
You can help your body with blood thickening and prevent more serious diseases of the vascular system by using folk recipes that include ginger. In combination with other components, the spice enhances its beneficial properties, cleansing blood vessels, preventing the formation of blood clots and helping to get rid of previously formed ones.
Find out about the benefits and harms of honey water in the morning on an empty stomach for the body.
Ginger, cinnamon and lemon
The infusion helps reduce blood viscosity. To prepare it you will need:
- water - 1 l;
- ginger - 1 medium-sized root;
- cinnamon - 1 pinch;
- lemon - 1/2 fruit.
A step-by-step recipe for preparing the mixture will look like this:
- Peel the root and cut into small pieces.
- Cut the lemon into slices.
- To boil water.
- Place the chopped root in a bowl, add cinnamon, and pour boiling water over it.
- Leave for a quarter of an hour.
- Strain.
- Add prepared lemon and stir.
To improve the taste, you can add a little honey to the drink.
The entire volume of the prepared infusion should be drunk during the day, regardless of meals.
Ginger, walnuts and honey
In combination with walnuts and honey, ginger perfectly cleanses and strengthens blood vessels. To clean blood vessels, it is useful to use a product using these products. It includes:
- ginger - 1 medium-sized root;
- honey - 1.5 tbsp;
- peeled walnuts - 1.5 tbsp.
To prepare the mixture, you need to follow these steps:
- Thinly remove the skin from the young root and grate it on a fine grater.
- Chop the nuts.
- Warm thick honey in a water bath before use.
- Place the prepared ingredients in a glass jar.
- Pour in honey.
- Mix well.
Keep refrigerated. Use 1-2 tbsp. l. in a day.
Did you know? The rich chemical composition helps with exhaustion and vitamin deficiency. Traditional medicine recommends taking it for the health of the liver, heart, and brain.
This drug is taken to reduce blood viscosity, prevent the formation of blood clots, and for atherosclerosis.
