Best Foods For Circulation Improvement

Circulation plays an important role in the delivery of nutrients and removal of wastes from the body. Aside from those crucial duties, we really notice its effects this time of year as we attempt to keep our hands and feet warm in the cold. If you have symptoms of poor circulation, it may be time to do something about it. If left unnoticed, poor blood flow can eventually lead to varicose veins, kidney failure, and stroke. While exercise is also important, your nutrition can make a tremendous difference. Here are some of the best foods for circulation improvement.

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Sunflower Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Sesame Seeds

Nuts and seeds are high in Vitamin E. When it comes to circulation, a good dose of Vitamin E is necessary. It assists in the formation of red blood cells and has been proven to prevent blood from clotting. Pumpkin and Sesame Seeds also contain phytoestrogens which have numerous benefits and are also thought to improve circulation.

• Cantaloupe
• Grapefruit
• Kiwis
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Tangerines

Fruits high in Vitamin C such as those listed above are great foods for circulation improvement. Vitamin C is a natural blood thinner. It also improves circulation by strengthening capillary walls and preventing plaque build-up.

• Apricots
• Guava
• Persimmon
• Pink Grapefruit
• Watermelon

Lycopene is a pigment that gives foods their reddish color. It also improves circulation and may help prevent against heart disease. Foods such as watermelon and grapefruit are high in lycopene.

• Blueberries
• Grapes

Both blueberries and grapes contain flavonoids. They are great antioxidants that prevent against free radicals and their harmful damage.

• Goji berries (Wolfberries)

Nutrient-loaded goji berries are a popular Chinese health food that has been known to improve circulation among other things. Their popularity is helped by the legend of a Chinese man named Li Qing Yuen who consumed the food daily and supposedly lived to be 252 years old.

• Garlic
• Leeks
• Onions
• Radishes

Perhaps no food is better known for its circulation benefits than garlic. If you want warmer hands and feet, try adding raw garlic to your diet. It is a natural blood thinner that prevents plaque build-up on arterial walls. Other bulb foods such as leeks, onions, and radishes also have some of the same effects, but are not quite as strong as garlic.

• Watercress

Watercress is another wonder food that has circulation benefits. Aside from an abundance of iron, folic acid, calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, it also has antiangiogenic cancer-suppressing properties.

• Tomatoes

Tomatoes are among this list of foods for circulation improvement thanks to their high levels of the previously mentioned lycopene.

• Cayenne pepper
• Ginger
• Saffron
• Turmeric

Several spices have been known to be beneficial in the fight against poor blood flow. While cayenne pepper is possibly the best of these for increasing circulation, ginger stimulates blood flow to the organs and turmeric is a natural blood thinner. Saffron has also been known to help.

• Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a widely used herb, especially in Europe. It is often used to improve circulation in the extremities. It is also used to increase blood flow to the brain, treat varicose vains, prevent Alzheimers and poor memory, and improve sexual dysfunction.

Saving the tastiest for last, your sweet tooth can actually benefit your health. Natural cocoa is an antioxidant that contains flavonoids which improve circulation and prevent blood clots. Make sure that your treat is true dark chocolate if you want the health benefits.

This concludes the "Best Foods for Circulation Improvement". You can now truly eat to get that warm feeling inside. Attempt to gradually incorporate some of these foods into your diet.

If you have any questions or comments, please post them below.