Grape Juice & Food Seasonings
Grape Juice
Another great beverage for DVT is grape juice—and yes, that even means wine! Purple grapes have been found to contain flavonoids, a nutrient found in plants that seems to offer quite a few potential health benefits. These include controlling platelet build up and fibrin production, both of which can influence blood clotting. A glass of grape juice or wine per day may provide sufficient flavonoids to help keep your veins in order, but don't go overboard with them—excessive alcohol and sugar consumption can lead to health problems of their own.
Food Seasonings
Although you probably want to keep your salt intake low—high sodium consumption isn’t great for the heart—that doesn’t mean your food has to be bland on a DVT diet. Lots of other spices and seasonings have high levels of salicylates, which is a compound that can keep your blood from clotting as much. These include:
- Curry
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Dandelion
- Gingko
- Licorice
- Peppermint.
Cinnamon is also a natural anticoagulant because of a chemical it contains called coumarin, which promotes blood thinning. However, it’s important to discuss using cinnamon with a doctor beforehand, as it can interact with prescription anticoagulants. Additionally, cinnamon may cause liver damage when used long term.
Finally, garlic is another seasoning with a reputation for keeping blood clots under control. Known for being a natural blood thinner, regular garlic consumption can be great for the cardiovascular system as a whole. Garlic also has great antioxidant properties, which another boon for blood clotting and a healthy heart.
Did you know...
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!