There’s a lot that goes into making sure you’re healthy. There’s your mental health—a complex subject in and of itself—and your physical health, which can also be an incredibly involved topic. For decades now, cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States. Given its prevalence, it makes sense to pay attention to the things that can prevent it. One of the things that you can do to make a real difference is to eat foods that support the health of your veins and cardiovascular system at large.
Why Healthy Veins Matter
As you age, your body becomes more susceptible to wear and tear. You may find this expressed through the formation of conditions such as varicose veins. While there are multiple minimally invasive treatment options available for treating varicose veins, prevention remains the best option. There are multiple lifestyle things you can do to protect the health of your veins. Exercise, weight management, and wearing loose clothing around your lower body and low heeled shoes can all help reduce the risk of developing them. Arguably one of the most important preventative methods you should be engaging in, though, is eating a healthy diet.
What you eat has an immense impact on virtually every aspect of your health, including your cardiovascular system. When your cardiovascular system is healthy, it is better able to transport nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, providing it with essential nourishment. It’s also better able to filter out toxins and waste products. Your body relies on your veins to return deoxygenated blood to your heart so it can be sent to your lungs for reoxygenation and to start the process all over again. The healthier your cardiovascular system is, the better off you’ll be. To that end, consuming foods that support its health is essential.
Water
It’s not just food that’s important though. The human body is made up of anywhere from 45-75% water, depending on age and gender. Considering how much of your body is water, it makes sense that it’s essential to the proper function of its various systems. Drinking enough water helps support the health of your veins by supporting blood vessel constriction, which helps prevent blood pooling in your extremities. It can also help you normalize your blood pressure and your blood volume. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on the walls and valves of your veins. This will weaken them over time. Healthy blood pressure will help keep the blood flowing smoothly and easily throughout your body, relieving strain from your veins.
Fiber
You’ve almost certainly heard about how important fiber is to your digestive health, but did you know that it has an impact on the health of your veins too? The human body and its systems are intricately connected, and what impacts one system will have an impact on others as well. Fiber helps your digestive system stay regular and makes it easier to eliminate waste. This reduces the tendency to strain on the toilet. Straining puts a greater burden on your veins, making them more susceptible to damage and exacerbating existing damage. Fiber also helps you keep your cholesterol levels in check, reducing your risk of developing atherosclerosis. By making sure you eat enough fiber, you support both the health of your digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Bioflavonoids
Have you ever wondered what makes flowers, fruits, and vegetables so colorful? The answer, at least in part, is bioflavonoids. These plant pigments do more than just make things colorful, they also play a key role in supporting our health. Bioflavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help fight spider veins. Rutin in particular has been found to help thin blood slightly and strengthen blood vessels, making them less susceptible to damage. There are multiple foods you can find rutin in. Consuming them and a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables will help you reap the benefits bioflavonoids have to offer.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is often promoted as an immunity booster, but it does more than just help you feel better when you have a cold. It’s a crucial element in the formation of collagen, which is an essential building block for blood vessels and veins. It also helps with elastin production, which can help keep your veins supple. Together, collagen and elastin help protect your veins from damage and assist in their repair. Vitamin C consumption recommendations for adults are 75mg for women and 90mg for men.
Your cardiovascular health is important, and you owe it to yourself to take a proactive approach to maintain it. The choices you make about what you eat will have a direct impact on the health of your veins and the other components of that system. You only have one body, so take care of it. Remember, if you don’t take the time to be healthy now, you’ll be forced to take the time to be ill later.
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