The way your blood moves through your body is an important part of being healthy. Good circulation means that blood and oxygen are flowing freely to all parts of your body. This will improve your organ function, your body’s ability to heal itself, and even your sex life. You’ll also have more energy and remove waste more efficiently.
How can you get better circulation? There are a number of different ways, but one big one is through your diet. What you eat matters a lot when it comes to healthy blood flow. Here are 10 foods that will help improve your circulation.
Onions: Onions are wonderful for opening your veins, allowing blood to flow more easily through your body. They are also bursting with heart-healthy antioxidants.
Berries: The anthocyanin in raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and other berries is just one part of what makes these tiny treats superfoods. This chemical helps clear out your arteries and decreases your risk of a heart attack. Berries are also good for lowering cholesterol and increasing immunity.
Garlic: Garlic causes your blood vessels to relax, softening them against restrictions in blood flow. Garlic is also great for healthy blood pressure and pushes through plaque build-up.
Turmeric: Turmeric is a wonderfully fragrant spice that has been popular in Asian cooking for thousands of years. Curcumin, the chemical that gives turmeric its distinctive yellow color, is helpful for a variety of medical uses, including promoting better blood circulation.
Salmon: Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are integral to a healthy heart. Omega-3 fatty acids increase blood flow and keep arteries free from built-up plaque. Salmon is just one source of this nutrient. Other fatty fish, nuts, and vegetables like broccoli are also good places to find Omega-3.
Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which works to heat up the body and expand and strengthen blood vessels. It can also help reduce plaque in your arteries.
Beets: Beets are one of the best foods for improving circulation because they are bursting with nitrates. Nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels, allowing arteries to widen so that nutrients and oxygen can move easily through your body.
Oranges: Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit have anti-inflammatory properties and chemicals that keep blood moving. Citrus fruits have been found to help prevent blood clots and have been shown in studies to be especially effective in promoting better blood flow to the brain.
Green Tea: Drinking 2 or 3 cups of green tea each day has been shown to improve circulation. This is because of antioxidants that help to dilate blood vessels. Black tea can improve blood flow as well.
Pomegranates: The juice from this pretty fruit has been shown to increase circulation by softening stiff arteries. It can also improve blood pressure and help regulate cholesterol levels.
Improving your circulation means that oxygen and important nutrients are being effectively moved through your body. This helps you function efficiently and feel better. You can improve your circulation through your food choices. Start with these 10 options.