Health

5 Foods That Can Help Fight Anemia And Prevent Blood Shortage

Published

2 years ago

Jun 29, 2022.

EDITOR’S PICK:

Anemia occurs when your body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells. The illness is primarily caused by blood loss, red blood cell breakdown, or your body’s inability to produce enough red blood cells.

Anemia comes in a variety of forms. Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent form.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. Iron is abundant in hemoglobin. Without enough iron, your body cannot produce enough hemoglobin to produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

A shortage of folate and vitamin B-12 may also have an impact on your body’s ability to produce red blood cells. Pernicious anemia can occur if your body is unable to effectively utilize B-12.

Well, in this article on EKO HOT BLOG we would be looking at some foods that can help fight Anemia and prevent blood shortage.

1. Leafy greens

Iron that is not heme is prevalent in leafy greens, especially dark ones. Kale and spinach are among them.

Folate is also present in leafy greens, including Swiss chard and collard greens. A diet low in folate may lead to folate-deficient anemia. Folate-rich foods include citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains.

Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C in the stomach. Iron absorption may be enhanced by consuming leafy greens alongside vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, red peppers, and strawberries. For instance, collard greens and Swiss chard are rich in both iron and vitamin C.

2. Poultry and meat

Heme iron is present in every type of meat and poultry. The best sources consist of red beef, lamb, and deer. Lower concentrations are present in fowl and chicken.

Consuming meat or chicken with foods containing nonheme iron, such as leafy greens and vitamin C-rich fruit, will increase iron absorption.

3. Liver

Iron levels are high in organ meats, which are avoided by many individuals.

The most popular organ meat is liver. It is an excellent source of iron and folate. Additionally, heart, kidney, and beef tongue are iron-rich organ meats.

4. Seafood

Some seafood contain heme iron. Excellent sources include oysters, clams, scallops, crabs, and shrimp. The bulk of fish are iron-rich.

Fresh or canned tuna, mackerel, and fresh or canned salmon are iron-rich fish. Additionally to being rich in iron, canned sardines are also rich in calcium.

Calcium can bind to iron, hence inhibiting iron absorption. Calcium-rich foods and iron-rich foods should not be consumed at the same time.

FURTHER READING

5. Fortified foods

Iron is added to numerous meals. Include in your diet fortified orange juice, fortified ready-to-eat cereals, and fortified refined wheat products, such as white bread, if you are a vegetarian or have difficulty consuming alternate sources of iron.

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