Human body follows an approach to prevent bleeding. Most of the time the blood clots prevent any further bleeding.
However, for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases like irregular heart rate, atherosclerosis, congenital heart defect etc. blood thinners are prescribed.
Blood Thinners lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing the chance of blood clot. There are some more natural ingredients can do the same work and reduce the risk of clotting.
These natural blood thinners work efficiently that too with zero side-effects. To know more, read the below article.
Table of Contents
What Are Blood Thinners?
Blood thinners are substances that are meant to prevent a blood clot in the major organs of our body (brain and heart). A blood clot can prove fatal when it stops the flow of blood to the heart, brain, and lungs.
They can cause a heart attack or a brain stroke too. You have to take blood thinners if you suffer from a cardiovascular disease like valve disease, irregular heart rhythm, etc.
Why Take Blood Thinners?
Blood thinners are majorly taken to prevent blood clot formation in a heart patient.
A few benefits of blood thinners are:
- Enhance blood circulation that leads to better heart functioning
- Gives a healthy glowing skin
- Lowers the risk of degenerative diseases
- Increase life
Natural Blood Thinners
The work done by medical drugs can also be done by some natural super ingredients. There are a variety of natural substances that have blood-thinning effects.
However, you can not use these substances as a substitute for prescription anticoagulant medication but they work well.
A few of the most effective blood thinners are explained below:
1. Garlic
Ginger contains salicylate acid. Aspirin a blood clot medicine taken to prevent stroke contains Acetylsalicylic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid is derived from salicylate can help prevent stroke.
In addition to it, there are some fruits like berries, avocados, chilies, and cherries, that can prevent the blood from clotting. However, still, a lot of research is to be done to prove their effectiveness.
Studies found that garlic has a mild inhibitory effect on the platelet aggregation. Aggregation of platelet is the first step of blood clot formation.
So, inhibiting the first step would prevent blood clot formation too. The effect is not that much when taken in normal dietary doses.
A huge amount of garlic should be consumed to act as a potent drug against blood clot formation. Till now, studies are going on to find out the exact amount of garlic needed to prevent blood clot formation.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a traditional herb used for ages to prevent various body ailments. It is widely used in Chinese and Ayurvedic treatments. Ginger not only prevents nausea and flu but also act as a powerful blood thinner.
Studies say it can lower blood cholesterol that further prevents blood clots. Moreoff, ginger can control blood sugar levels, treat gastrointestinal issues as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It holds a top place in natural blood thinners as it can enhance blood circulation.
3. Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are an effective ingredient to reduce the aggregation of blood platelets which further reduces heart attack and stroke.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids to keep our heart healthy.
Both these acids have EPA and DHA which have a blood thinning effect. They act as blood thinners by inhibiting the formation of substance that aids blood clot formation.
However, these two acids are not produced by our body we have consumed it from our diet.
You can get Fish oil form fish oil supplements which is available in capsule and liquid forms. A few of the fishes like fatty fish, salmon, tuna, sardines, cod, and mackerel has a fair amount of EPA and DHA.
As per the American Heart Association, daily consumption of 0.5 to 1.8g of EPA and DHA can lower the risk of coronary heart diseases.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a good amount of coumarin which is a powerful anticoagulant. Cassia belongs to the same family of cinnamon.
Casia, when taken along with cinnamon, can lower the blood pressure and alleviate body inflammation too.
However, still, research is to be done to prove the effect. Be cautious while consuming cinnamon as a blood thinner as long-term cinnamon consumption can cause liver damage.
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is efficient to prevent blood clot formation in many ways. However, the effect is desirable when Vitamin E is taken in high concentrations.
Still, a lot it is to be done to determine the effectiveness of Vitamin E as a blood thinner and its actual concentration for acting as a blood thinner.
Vitamin E is present in a number of food items like whole grains, wheat germ oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, egg yolks, seeds, and nuts.
6. Pineapple
Bromelain, found in pineapples is an effective agent to prevent blood clot formation. It can degrade the proteins in the blood that cause blood clotting and thickening.
In addition to it, it has anti-inflammatory effects too and it also acts as a good digestive agent. However, still, research is to be done to prove the effect of bromelain as an anticoagulant agent.
7. Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne peppers contain the huge amount of salicylate. Salicylate and its derivatives are used to prevent blood clot formation as they have a powerful blood-thinning effect on the body.
You can consume cayenne peppers is available in capsules forms, alternatively, it is also available as a ground spice. More off, Cayenne pepper can lower the blood pressure and increase blood circulation too.
8. Turmeric
It has a very good curative ingredient called curcumin. Curcumin works on the blood platelets to prevent its clotting. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory herb from ages to cure and heal several health issues.
9. Peppermint
Peppermint is present in mouth fresheners, a few main course dishes and in our toothpaste too. It has a variety of medicinal properties like soothing the gastrointestinal tract.
It also has vitamin K that can prevent the abnormal clumping of clot producing platelets, thereby preventing blood clot formation.
10. Oregano
Oregano is herb used as a topping for a variety of dishes. It is used form ages to heal multiple body issues. However, studies show it also has the ability to thin the blood and thus can also prevent blood clot formation.
11. Beetroot
Beetroot has high amounts of nitrates that are known to improve heart health. They aid in heart functioning by enhancing blood circulation and significantly reducing clotting.
Studies say higher the nitrate levels in the body lower is the blood platelets aggregation rate. Additionally, beetroot was also found to lower blood pressure.
12. Tomato
Tomatoes have powerful compounds like caffeine, ferulic, chlorogenic, and p-coumaric acid to improve heart health. These are natural compounds that have the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation.
13. Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolates contain a heavy amount of Flavonoids. Flavonoids are known to be natural blood thinners.
Studies found out that the milk and dark chocolate can inhibit platelet aggregation. Opt for dark brown chocolates as they have more flavonoids than the white chocolates.
14. Grapes
Grapes even have flavonoids. Flavonoids like kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin are present in grapes that are responsible for the blood thinning effects. These flavonoids have been found to inhibit platelet aggregation in lab studies.
15. Other Foods
Apart from consuming the above foods, you should take care of your diet too especially if you are a cardiovascular patient.
You should opt for a healthy diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oil, low-fat products, skimmed milk, and good proteins. You should avoid high cholesterol and high-sugar content foods.
Some of the food items that can improve heart health and prevent blood clotting are as follows:
- Green vegetables like lettuce, spinach, broccoli
- Fruits like berries, grapefruits, pineapple, pomegranate, grapes
- Nuts like walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashew nuts, pistachios
- Healthy drinks like green tea, cranberry juice, herbal tea
Final Talk
There are several natural remedies to prevent blood clotting. However, you should never take it as a substitute for prescribed medication and neither you should take them along with the prescribed blood thinners without consulting a doctor.
It is because they can sometimes interfere with the chemical ingredients of the medicines. They can lead to excess blood thining of blood that can further cause fatal bleeding. So, always consult your doctor before trying any of the natural remedies regularly.
This is because although many natural substances have blood-thinning and clot prevention effects, still researchers are needed to clarify the possible interactions, the correct dosage, and the potential effect.
