Foods that Increase Blood Circulation

Healthy blood circulation will improve our skin, hair, and overall health. 

It is possible to quickly improve blood circulation through our diet. There are certain fruits, vitamins, herbs and even spices that will help improve blood circulation. There are also ingredients that are bad for circulation and can hinder a healthy blood flow. Let’s have a look at why circulation is important for our health, all of its benefits and what ingredients will help increase blood circulation.

Why is it important to have good blood circulation?

Good circulation means that the oxygen, vitamins and minerals in your diet have an easy time circulating throughout your body, from the roots of your hair down to your toes. 

Poor circulation symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling sensation in hands and/or feet
• Swelling in feet, ankles or legs
• Fatigue
• Memory loss or difficulty concentrating
• Varicose veins

Drinking lots of water throughout the day, exercising/staying active and eating a healthy well-balanced diet will all help improve blood circulation. 

Ingredients that help improve blood circulation:

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the first ingredients one should include in their diet if they are concerned about their circulation. Turmeric can be added to your smoothies, lattes, soups, eaten raw, in powder form or in a capsule. Turmeric helps dilate blood vessels, which encourages smoother circulation. It helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, and improves blood flow to the heart and liver, improves digestion, and can improve skin health. 

Ginger

The gingerols and zingerone found in ginger will warm the body as it improves circulation. Ginger will also help reduce nausea, regulate digestion and can help reduce blood pressure. It can be eaten raw, added to soups, or brewed into a fresh tea. It’s always better to make the ginger tea yourself rather than buying ginger tea bags - in order to really get all of its health benefits.

Almonds, Walnuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are rich with vitamins, like vitamin E and fatty acids. Almonds and walnuts contain high concentrations of amino acids, magnesium, potassium, and calcium which help to reduce inflammation and can help lower blood pressure. 

Seeds are particularly great, like chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and sesame seeds because they contain high amounts of essential vitamins and minerals but are low in fat and can easily be added to salads, trail mixes, cereals, smoothies or baked goods.

Citrus fruits, Berries and Pomegranate 

Fruits like citrus fruits contain flavonoids that can help reduce inflammation. Inflammation in the body weakens the immune system, digestion, and can lead to dry hair and skin. Flavonoids can also help treat varicose veins, while improving cognitive functions. Berries and pomegranate are super rich in antioxidants which will help clean the blood, reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure.

Beets

Beets can encourage blood vessels to open which aids in improving blood flow. It can boost oxygen flow to muscles, making it the perfect ingredient for athletes. Beets can improve liver health, and are rich in iron, folate and antioxidants - particularly great for women who are typically low on iron. 

Foods to avoid if you have poor blood circulation:

Fatty meats, added sugars, salt, and trans fats all create inflammation in the body and disrupt blood flow. 

Steer away from pre-made packaged foods and gravitate towards raw ingredients that enrich your diet and your health. Fruits and vegetables are both hydrating and in most cases, are anti-inflammatory. 

Final Thoughts

Healthy circulation will help keep your hair and skin healthy and soft. It will keep your digestion regular, improve memory, overall cognition, heart health and can help keep all your vital organs healthy and functioning as they should. 

Poor circulation can lead to dry hair and skin, digestive issues, high blood pressure and many other symptoms and issues none of us want! The best methods for staying healthy are by eating healthy, staying hydrated, living an active lifestyle and sleeping well. 

We believe eating well means living well, wouldn’t you agree?