Eat these Vein-Friendly Foods this Thanksgiving
Eat these Vein-Friendly Foods this Thanksgiving
Posted on November 14, 2019 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute
Thanksgiving is a time for food, friends, and family. It may seem funny to be thinking about your veins at a time like this, but if you have varicose veins, they might be something that’s frequently on your mind already. Here are some suggested foods to eat this Thanksgiving to help to prevent future issues with varicose veins.
What are varicose veins?
Around 20% of adults will experience varicose veins at some point in their lifetime. Varicose veins are those twisting, enlarged veins that appear blue or dark purple typically found on the legs. They occur when defective valves in the veins let blood to pool or flow in the wrong direction.
Vein-friendly Foods
Did you know the foods you eat also have an effect on your veins? When it comes to Thanksgiving, that means you can make a difference by being diligent about the food you’re eating during your family feast.
Low Sodium, High Potassium
Sodium-rich or salty foods cause your body to retain water so limiting or minimizing those types of foods is a good first step. Another thing that helps reduce water retention are foods high in potassium.
Some common Turkey Day foods that are high in potassium include:
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Leafy vegetables
High Fiber
Eating foods with fiber can also help vein-health because constipation has been known to aggravate faulty valves in the veins making them worse.
Examples of foods high in fiber include:
- Apples and pears
- Nuts, seeds, and legumes
- Carrots
- Brussel sprouts
- Beets
- Sweet potatoes
- Oats, wheat, and flaxseed
- Whole-grain foods
Flavonoids
Foods that contain flavonoids have also been shown to help improve blood circulation, making blood less likely to pool in veins. Foods containing flavonoids also reduce blood pressure in the arteries which helps to relax blood vessels.
Foods that contain flavonoids include:
- Onions, bell peppers, spinach, and broccoli
- Grapes, cherries, apples, and blueberries
- Dark chocolate
- Garlic
- Red wine