Varicose veins affect approximately 50 percent of American women, according to the Richmond Vein Center, which makes it imperative to keep your veins as healthy as possible to avoid the potentially painful condition. Including orange juice in your diet may help with vein health thanks to the vitamins and minerals in this tasty beverage.
About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins -- swollen or twisted veins often visible under the surface of your skin -- occur when valves that control blood flow malfunction. Blood pools in your veins and triggers them to enlarge. Women are most often affected, and the most common body part to contain varicose veins are the legs. In addition to causing unsightly and potentially painful veins, varicose veins can lead to ankle swelling and skin ulcers.
Orange Juice
Nutrients available in orange juice -- such as vitamin C and copper -- may help prevent or treat varicose veins. While you can find these nutrients elsewhere or in supplements, getting them in juice may be preferable. Certified nutrition consultant Brenda Watson, in her book "The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps," notes that drinking juice provides nutrients in greater concentrations. Watson recommends drinking organic juice to avoid health hazards associated with pesticides.
Vitamin C and Varicose Veins
Orange juice is a good option for getting more vitamin C in your diet, which may help with varicose veins. A 1-cup serving of orange juice provides 124 milligrams of vitamin C, which surpasses the daily recommended intake of 75 to 90 milligrams per day. You can keep the walls of your veins strong and healthy by getting the vitamin C you need, and this may help prevent varicose veins or stop the ones you have from getting worse.
Copper and Varicose Veins
The copper in orange juice contributes to strong veins, helping to ward off small tears. A 1-cup serving of orange juice introduces 0.1 milligrams of copper into your diet -- a portion of the 2 milligrams suggested for daily intake. You can boost copper intake further by drinking a cup of juice while you eat a portion of enriched cereal.
References
- PubMed Health: Varicose Veins
- Richmond Vein Center: Varicose Veins
- The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps; Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Orange Juice, Raw
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C
- MotherNature.com: Varicose Veins
