Blood clotting protects your body from bleeding, and naturally, it is a good phenomenon. But at certain times, blood cutting can be quite dangerous.
Some people have conditions such as congenital heart defect, irregular heart rhythm, or have gone through a major heart valve surgery. Such people will be prescribed with natural blood thinners food by doctors. These conditions can increase the chances of blood clotting, which causes serious health problems such as stroke or heart attack. Natural blood thinners lower this risk by thinning the blood and making it almost impossible for major blood clot formation.
There are certain natural food items that can improve the blood circulation of your body and prevent heart diseases. It also reduces the risk of blood clotting. But it’s essential that if you have had any kind of significant heart problem or heart surgery, then the food items have to be prescribed by a doctor.
Benefits of Natural Blood Thinners
1. Help Risk of Blood Clotting
Natural blood thinners can help in reducing the risk of blood clotting within the blood. And if taken in proper proportionate dosages, then there won’t be any side effects as they are natural products without any additives.
2. Safe When Compared to Medicines
Natural blood thinners such as turmeric or Ginger are mostly safe when compared to medicines or any other supplements. They can be consumed by combining them with other food items such as milk, curry, baked goods, rice, and several other food items. But in case of vitamin E, either consume it as 400 IU dosage in capsules per day or have almonds, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil, which is much safer.
Natural Blood Thinners, and Their Role in Our System
Natural blood thinners can be found in some easily available food items that can reduce the risk of blood clotting. Here are some of the popular natural alternatives to blood thinners:
1. Ginger
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory spice that has the potential capability to prevent blood clotting. It has a natural acid known as salicylate. This acid can also be found in the synthetic drug aspirin, which is a popular blood thinner. (1)
For effective results of blood-thinning with the help of the natural acid salicylate, you can utilize fresh or dried Ginger in your regular food items, juices, or baking.
2. Bromelain
Pineapple is also considered a blood-thinning natural food item due to the enzyme bromelain found in it. According to research, it has been discovered that bromelain has properties that can act as natural blood thinners for blood clots.
3. Cayenne Peppers
Salicylate acid can also be found in cayenne peppers, which is quite a powerful blood-thinning agent, as mentioned previously. But this food is significantly spicy and should be taken in small doses. This food item also has other benefits such as increasing blood circulation, reducing pain sensations, and lowering blood pressure.
4. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is also a well-known blood-thinning agent, but it majorly depends on the dosage. According to the National Institute of Health Office of the Dietary Supplements, if people are taking blood-thinning medicines, then they should consume vitamin E in small doses.
That is why it is safe to consume food items that contain vitamin E, such as almonds, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, whole grains, and sunflower seeds.
But if you are consuming vitamin E capsules, then take it at 400 IU (international unit) per day and not more than that.
5. Cassia Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another spice that is popular blood thinning natural food item as it contains the thinning agent coumarin. This agent can be found in one of the most commonly utilized blood-thinning drugs, Warfarin.
But the agent coumarin is much stronger in the Chinese Casala Cinnamon compared to the common ones. But this should not be consumed in large doses as it can cause liver damage. Stick to smaller dosage added in food items.
6. Garlic
Garlic is one of the commonly known antimicrobial and antibiotic natural food items. And according to some reports of research, it has been discovered that odorless garlic powder performs antithrombotic activities. This antithrombotic agent is a popular substance that helps in the reduction of blood clot formation.
Another report suggested that garlic can help in blood thinning, but the effects are short-lived. Several physicians and medical facilities have recommended patients to avoid consuming garlic for a week or so before surgery.
7. Turmeric
This is another anti-inflammatory blood-thinning natural food item, also known as the golden spice. Curcumin is an active ingredient that is found in turmeric, and it has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties.
According to a published study in 2012, it was proved that small doses of turmeric spice daily could help maintain the anticoagulant status of your blood. (2)
This spice can be introduced into food items such as curries, warm milk, or tea.
How to Consume?
You can add these in your daily dishes. Whether it is garlic, ginger, or turmeric, these ingredients can be easily added to your routine dishes.
Myths and Side Effects
There are several natural food items that can help in blood thinning to some extent, but they are not permanent remedies and cannot replace medically prescribed drugs. If you are suffering from serious blood clotting issues, then these food items will not be as beneficial as medications.
Many people consider natural products to be much more beneficial for blood thinning than drugs, but it is not the case. Government authorities closely monitor drugs and medications compared to the herbs or supplements. So the medications are much more important than these natural food items.
Over consuming these food items can cause problems such as extremely thin blood that may lead to unstoppable bleeding. These food items can also hamper the blood-thinning medication effects if the dosage isn’t properly monitored.
Conclusion
Blood-thinning natural food items are most common in the general food category so taking them in extra dosage isn’t normally fatal. But it is better to take the advice of a medical professional before consuming any of the blood-thinning natural food items if you are suffering from any disease that has the risk of blood clotting.
And it is important to remember that these natural foods are not as potent as prescribed medicated drugs. There are also herbal medicines such as grape seed extract or dong quai, which are natural elements containing blood-thinning properties, but they shouldn’t be consumed before consulting a doctor.
FAQs
1. What are the natural blood thinners herbs?
Chamomile, clove, licorice, willow bark, and dong quai are some of the natural blood thinners herbs.
2. Are there any more natural foods that have blood-thinning properties?
Salmon, red wine, Ginkgo biloba, olive oil, and almonds also have natural blood-thinning properties.
3. Will these products thin the blood too much?
Generally, the essential agents these products contain are in very small quantities; that is why it is essential to consume these natural foods in a smaller dosage. It won’t thin the blood too much if taken in proper quantities.
