A blood clot occurs when the separate components in your blood stick together and form into solid matter inside of your blood vessels. Blood clotting is not always a bad thing--you need your blood to clot when you cut yourself, for example, to avoid losing too much blood, which can lead to serious health problems and even death. A blood clot inside your veins, however, is not a good situation because it stops your blood from circulating and delivering nutrients throughout your body. A blood clot can also travel to your heart and cause you to have a stroke. Steps you can take to prevent blood clots include keeping an eye on your diet.
Step 1
Eat a variety of dark-colored fresh produce, including apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, onions and broccoli. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that all of these foods contain compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids in your diet can contribute to vasodilation--the opening or relaxing of your arteries--which keeps the blood flowing freely through your veins without obstructions such as blood clots.
Step 2
Choose beverages high in flavonoids to accompany your meals in an effort to prevent blood clots. Orange and grapefruit juice, green, black and oolong tea and red wine are all high in flavonoids, though the type and concentration of compound varies in each. Use caution when drinking grapefruit juice if you already take blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots, as the beverage may affect the effectiveness of your medicine.
Step 3
Monitor the amount of vitamin K you consume daily. Vitamin K is present in dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, romaine lettuce and mustard, collard and turnip greens and helps your blood clot. The National Blood Clot Alliance explains that one anticoagulant medication, warfarin, may affect how your body uses vitamin K, which can alter the speed with which your blood clots. The NBCA suggests that you eat vitamin K-rich foods in an even distribution--avoid eating significantly more on one day than another--to prevent your body from either bleeding too easily or forming blood clots.
Step 4
Follow a diet that's low in saturated fats to keep your blood cholesterol levels normal. When cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, blood flow can become obstructed, according to the National Stroke Association. Blood that cannot circulate freely is more likely to stick together and form a clot.
Step 5
Indulge in dark chocolate--guilt-free--to reduce your risk of developing blood clots. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that study participants who ate flavonoid-rich dark chocolate every day for two weeks, showed better endothelial function than those who did not enjoy the sweet treat. Endothelial function involves the production of nitric oxide, a compound that causes your arteries to relax and promote normal, clot-free blood flow.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh produce
- Tea
- Red wine
- Orange juice
- Chocolate
