Which foods help improve circulation?

Eating the following 10 types of foods that improve blood circulation in the legs and other extremities is a good first step towards better health. Before making any dietary changes, keep in mind that it is always good to talk to your doctor about your plans.

1. Which Foods Help Improve Circulation?
Did you know that what you eat can impact blood flow? Certain foods
can have a positive or negative effect on circulation. Maintaining healthy
blood circulation is vital, since blood carries oxygen and other nutrients
throughout your body. Poor circulation can occur when the blood supply
to certain areas is reduced, usually due to an underlying health condition.
Some potential causes include obesity, diabetes, blood clots, heart
disease, and vein disease.
If you are experiencing poor circulation, you may have noticed some
uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Most often, symptoms of poor
circulation occur in the extremities (legs, feet, arms, and hands) and can
include:
 Cold feet or legs
 Swollen legs, ankles, or feet
 Muscle cramping
 Numbness
 Changes in skin color
 Leg wounds or venous ulcers
 Varicose veins
 Spider veins
If you are suffering from any of the above issues, you may be wondering
how to improve circulation. The good news is that eating certain foods
that improve blood circulation in the legs may help. However, it is
important to understand that dietary changes alone may not be enough.
Consider looking at our vein treatment options as well.

2. At USA Vein Clinics, our trusted vein specialists can quickly evaluate
your vein health, suggest foods that improve circulation, and make
personalized treatment recommendations. Along with suggesting helpful
dietary changes, our experts offer minimally invasive, office-based vein
treatment that can alleviate painful and uncomfortable symptoms.


10 Best Foods That Increase Blood Flow
Eating the following 10 types of foods that improve blood circulation in
the legs and other extremities is a good first step towards better health.
Before making any dietary changes, keep in mind that it is always good
to talk to your doctor about your plans.
You can also opt to discuss the benefits of eating foods that improve
blood circulation in feet, legs, and other regions with an experienced
vein specialist. They may recommend:

3. Foods Rich In Vitamin E

This fat-soluble nutrient can help dilate your blood vessels and increase
blood flow.
You can find Vitamin E in delicious foods like:
 Seeds and nuts
 Dark green vegetables (spinach, kale)
 Avocado
 Butternut squash
 Kiwi
 Olives and olive oil
 Some seafood varieties (trout, shrimp)

4. Foods With Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Did you know that Omega-3 can help stimulate blood flow and break
down blood clots? You can find this essential nutrient in:
 Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)
 Nuts and seeds (flaxseeds, walnuts)
 Plant-based oils (canola, soybean, flaxseed)
 Fortified foods (eggs, yogurt, juice, milk, soy beverages)
Citrus Fruits High In Vitamin C

5. These delicious fruits can help naturally thin the blood, strengthen
capillary walls, and prevent plaque buildup in your blood vessels.
Because they may interact with certain medications, be sure to check
with your doctor before eating:
 Oranges
 Mandarins
 Grapefruit
 Kiwi
 Guava
 Lemon
Bulb Plants
Bulb plants are another type of nutrient-rich food that improves
circulation in the feet and legs. They can reduce plaque buildup and help
to cleanse the blood. Try cooking with these fragrant foods or eating
them raw for maximum benefit:
 Garlic
 Onions
 Radishes
 Leeks
 Shallots
 Fennel
Nuts
Nuts are another powerhouse foods that improve blood flow by helping
blood vessels dilate. They’re filled with Vitamin E, Omega-3, and L-
Arginine, making them incredibly nutritious. Just remember to keep an
eye on your portions to avoid excess weight gain. Enjoy:
 Almonds
 Peanuts

6.  Cashews
 Walnuts
 Hazelnuts
 Pine nuts
Lycopene-Rich Foods

This important antioxidant, known for giving some vegetables a vibrant
red or pink hue, can help improve blood circulation. It can also reduce
your risks for developing a number of other health conditions. Give the
following foods a try:
 Tomatoes
 Watermelon
 Pink Grapefruit
 Guava
 Papaya
 Mangoes
 Sweet red peppers

7. Ginkgo Biloba

Although more research is needed, this popular, plant-based supplement
is believed to help increase blood flow to the brain and improve
memory. Before taking any supplements, you should always discuss
their potential benefits and drawbacks with your doctor. Some
supplements interact with foods and medications and can cause an
adverse reaction.
Ginger
Who doesn’t love ginger? Along with preventing nausea, this is another
food that improves circulation. You can:
 Eat it raw
 Drink it in a tea
 Cook it with other foods
Cayenne Pepper
If you want to spice things up, you’re in luck. Cayenne pepper is
believed to increase blood flow and strengthen blood vessels and
arteries. Although you can always cook it, we recommend eating this

8. pepper raw to improve circulation most effectively. Consider juicing it
or adding it to smoothies.
Dark Chocolate
Good news! Everybody’s favorite indulgence may help improve
numerous health conditions, including poor circulation. Dark chocolate
is rich in polyphenol, an antioxidant that affects certain biochemicals.
These biochemicals prompt the arteries and veins to dilate, increasing
blood flow.
How to Improve Circulation
Along with eating foods that improve circulation, you should also
consider other lifestyle factors that may be impacting your blood flow.
For one, you should avoid certain foods and substances that are known
to impact vein health negatively. Some of these include sodium, added
sugars, unhealthy fats, caffeine, and alcohol. Smoking can also lead to
poor circulation.
Additionally, obesity is a significant risk factor for poor circulation and
related health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
diabetes. Losing excess weight and working with your doctor to manage
underlying health conditions may be beneficial.
Inactivity can also increase your risk for poor circulation. We
recommend aiming for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, five
days per week. Before starting a new exercise program, make sure to
talk to your doctor.
Vein Disease and Circulation
Vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency, is another potential
cause of poor circulation. Varicose and spider veins are signs of this
common issue, affecting more than 30 million individuals nationwide.

9. Common symptoms of vein disease include:
 Swelling in your legs and ankles
 Cramps or achiness in the thigh or calf
 Tired or heavy legs (common for vein disease in legs)
 Restlessness, especially at night
 Itchy, dry, or hardened skin on your legs
 Wounds on your legs or ankles that take a long time to heal or
don’t heal at all
 Leg pain that goes away when you walk or elevate your legs
If you have vein disease or other risk factors for poor circulation, we
encourage you to consult a vein specialist. They can suggest foods that
increase blood flow, support efforts to lose weight and help you manage
high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. A vein
specialist can also explain how vein disease treatment may improve your
quality of life.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MINIMALLY INVASIVE VEIN TREATMENT
Improving Circulation with USA Vein Clinics
Eating foods that improve blood circulation in the legs is a great start
towards better circulatory health. As you now know, lifestyle
improvements can significantly improve some underlying causes for
reduced blood flow. They can also help keep poor circulation from
developing in the first place.
Unfortunately, sometimes eating foods that improve circulation isn’t
enough to achieve desired health goals. If your poor circulation is caused
by underlying vein disease, we want you to know that help is available.
At USA Vein Clinics, we treat a variety of vein issues including varicose
veins, spider veins, restless legs, and venous ulcers.
Our vein specialists use minimally-invasive, outpatient treatment
techniques that take less than an hour, from start to finish. All of our

10. procedures are performed at over 100 state-of-the-art, nationwide
treatment clinics. Most patients can leave immediately following
treatment and return to their normal daily activities.
To learn more about minimally invasive, office-based vein treatment,
speak with a specialist at 888.768.3467 or schedule an appointment
online.