11 Natural Ingredients That Help Improve Blood Circulation

Posted by Simple Promise on January 12, 2023

Having good blood circulation is important because your body needs blood to carry oxygen and nutrients into your tissues and internal organs.

Sometimes it happens that your blood stops flowing properly which can be caused by many different reasons like smoking, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle that doesn't include enough time for exercising, and more.

There also comes a time in everyone's life when our circulation is not like it used to be. Your feet swell up, varicose veins start to appear, and chances you get painful hemorrhoids increases.

How Can You Improve Your Blood Circulation?

Stretching, exercising, drinking and eating certain foods helps promote healthy blood flow. While dry brushing and showering can also help stimulate blood flow, when it comes to the biggest impact, food and movement are the best.

Below are 11 natural ingredients that can help improve your blood circulation:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is responsible for flushing toxins out from your system. Staying hydrated helps circulation by improving blood flow throughout the body. Warm water encourages the veins to expand, allowing more room for blood to flow. Some simple tricks to help you drink more water can include…

Drinking a glass after every bathroom break
Choose sparkling or mineral water over soda
Set a daily goal and use a marked water bottle
Flavor your water

2. Go Nuts

Eating healthy nuts like almonds and walnuts help by improving blood flow. Eat nuts that are high in vitamins A, B, C and E and high in magnesium and iron. Nuts can help improve circulation by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in your arteries.

3. Drink Green Tea

Green tea is a healthy option and stimulates your body’s bodily functions. Green tea helps in widening blood vessels in your body, and increases blood flow.

4. Eat Garlic, Onions, and Ginger

Garlic, onions and ginger not only stimulate the health of your circulatory system but also have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that will help keep your digestive system working properly. They also contain organosulfur compounds that help the body to fight infection and flush out the toxins as well.

5. Ginseng Root

Ginseng roots are known to strengthen immunity and increase blood circulation. It has vasodilating action in the peripheral vessels and increases blood flow under cold stress.

6. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate contains cocoa, which has flavonoids that further links to improving blood flow. Specific flavonoid compounds in dark chocolate keep the lining of the arteries more reactive to stress and to change in blood flow.

7. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne used as fresh pepper or dried spice helps increase your metabolic rate and strengthens your arteries and blood vessels. You can replace salt with cayenne pepper by flavoring your food for a low-sodium alternative, stir it into homemade lemonade for a delicious kick, or just add a dash to your favorite soup.

8. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, which is shown to help keep blood clots from forming. They are great at helping improve circulation. A quarter cup of sunflower seeds provides almost 19 mcg of selenium. Selenium can increase blood flow and deliver more oxygen to your body.

9. Citrus Fruits

Consuming flavonoid-rich citrus fruits can reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow according to this study. Vitamin C specifically, acts as an antioxidant on the lining cells of our arteries to help with dilation which increases blood flow.

Try citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits as they contain vitamin C, which further helps in lowering sugar and inflammation.

10. Watermelons

Watermelons contain lycopene which is a natural antioxidant linked to improving circulation. Watermelon can help relax red blood vessels which improves circulation (and your libido).

Watermelon rind contains citrulline, an amino acid, which becomes converted into arginine, improving circulation and promoting a healthy heart. Try citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits as they contain vitamin C, which further helps in lowering sugar and inflammation.

11. Avocado

Avocados are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that support your cardiovascular system and increase blood circulation. It's necessary to maintain your LDL cholesterol levels to prevent your arteries from slowing down or clogging your blood flow, which can damage your heart over time.

Avocados also contain magnesium and potassium, both of which help to lower blood pressure.

Just start by adding a couple of these amazing ingredients to your diet to help improve blood circulation. Remember to choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats when it comes to eating to improve your blood flow.