In traditional Chinese health concepts, red dates and brown sugar are often considered good for blood supplementation. However, from the perspective of modern nutritional science, the blood-supplying effects of red dates and brown sugar are not as significant as people imagine.
In fact, the real foods that can effectively supplement blood do not only include red dates and brown sugar but also other foods rich in nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. This article will reveal to you these 8 foods that can truly supplement blood, so you won’t go wrong on the path of pursuing health and wellness.
What does blood supplementation mean?
Blood supplementation mainly refers to the replenishment of the iron element needed by the human body to promote blood generation. Iron is one of the essential trace elements in the human body’s hematopoiesis process, and a lack of iron can lead to blood problems such as anemia. Therefore, the key to blood supplementation lies in taking in a sufficient amount of iron.
When the body shows these 3 signs, it implies that you may be anemic and need to supplement blood properly:
1. Pale complexion
If you notice signs of anemia in your daily life, you need to adjust through a reasonable diet to help restore a good blood state. Some individuals with severe anemia may appear pale. This is because in normal individuals, there is ample blood supply to various parts of the body.
Therefore, the facial complexion can remain rosy and healthy, which is a sign of good health. When anemia is severe, blood cannot be promptly supplied to every part of the body. As a result, pale and sallow complexion may occur. Be alert to these signals indicating anemia in your body.
2. Feeling weak all over
Anemic patients may feel a lack of energy in their bodies and often feel tired and sleepy. This is mainly due to the lack of sufficient oxygen and blood to the muscles. People may feel extremely heavy legs during walking, making fatigue a common symptom of anemia.
3. Insomnia
Many people often experience insomnia during the night, indicating the development of anemia. As individuals with obvious anemia cannot receive oxygen promptly, to maintain a healthy state and have quality sleep, the body should receive oxygen and blood adequately during the sleep process.
In cases of severe anemia, this situation should be improved promptly; otherwise, the lack of oxygen and blood supply for an extended period can lead to evident sleep disturbances, disordered vegetative nervous function, and make it difficult to fall asleep peacefully at night.
Red dates and brown sugar do not supplement blood
Red dates and brown sugar are traditional blood-supplementing foods, and many people believe they contain rich iron elements that can effectively increase hemoglobin levels.
However, in reality, the iron content in red dates and brown sugar is not high, and the iron they contain is non-heme iron with lower absorption rates. Therefore, red dates and brown sugar cannot truly serve the purpose of blood supplementation.
Reminder: These 8 foods are the real blood-suppliers, so don’t make mistakes next time
1. Mulberry
Mulberries can effectively tonify the liver and kidney, nourish yin and blood, especially for individuals with deficiency in qi and blood and those experiencing nervous exhaustion, mulberries can have a good nourishing effect.
The efficacy of mulberries is quite similar to black sesame, but mulberries have a better taste. If you have symptoms of anemia, you can often eat mulberries.
You can not only eat dried mulberries directly but also use dried mulberries to make a drink, which can help with beauty care, nourish qi and blood.
2. Amaranth
Amaranth not only contains abundant calcium but also rich in vitamin K and iron elements, which can promote blood clotting effectively, increase hemoglobin content, thus improving nutrition and assisting in promoting hematopoietic function.
The beta-carotene contained in amaranth is twice as high as in fruits, providing rich nutrients to our body, helping to strengthen the body, improve immunity, and resistance.
Therefore, there has been a long-standing belief in the “longevity vegetable,” and amaranth does not contain oxalic acid, which can promote calcium absorption better.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a common vegetable for individuals with anemia, which can stabilize the condition by eating pumpkin. Pumpkins are rich in plant protein and essential micronutrients for the body. Eating pumpkins regularly can help red blood cells in the blood circulate normally and affect the function of red blood cells, making hemoglobin.
For those with poor stomach and anemia, drinking pumpkin porridge can improve the condition, not only nourishing the stomach but also nourishing qi and blood.
4. Pork liver
This ingredient is rich in iron elements, making it an excellent blood supplement for friends with iron-deficiency anemia. However, it is essential to note that the iron elements contained in pork liver are non-heme iron, and its cholesterol content is relatively high. Therefore, consuming it in moderation is the wise choice.
5. Spinach
Spinach contains a high amount of iron, with 2.9 mg per 100 grams, making it the vegetable with the highest iron content. Additionally, spinach is rich in vitamin C, so if you usually cook spinach soup with lean meat, it can be extremely effective in improving anemia.
6. Black sesame
Black foods enter the kidneys and help store essence and absorb qi. The essence stored in the kidneys nourishes the marrow, the marrow promotes blood production, and blood’s essence is also in the kidneys. Red foods help blood, and the theory of red food supplementing blood is based on “supplementing form with form and color with color.”
Sesame goes to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen meridians, with the effects of nourishing blood and improving eyesight, promoting essence production, nourishing liver, and promoting hair growth. Consuming sesame can promote kidney blood production, liver blood storage, and spleen blood regulation.
7. Black-bone chicken
Black-bone chicken soup has a good effect on replenishing qi and blood, especially suitable for patients who are chronically ill, weak, or physically weak after surgery, and it is also very suitable for women to supplement nutrition after pregnancy.
Black-bone chicken has well-documented effects in traditional Chinese medicine and has a good effect on replenishing qi and blood. However, due to the high nutritional content in the soup, excessive long-term drinking may cause heat in the body; moderate intake is better for the body.
8. Black fungus
Black fungus is a nutrition-rich edible fungus with high iron content, which belongs to non-heme iron. Although the absorption rate of non-heme iron is relatively low, the dietary fiber and polysaccharide components in black fungus help improve intestinal environment and enhance iron absorption.
Moreover, black fungus also has health benefits such as lowering blood lipids, antioxidant functions, making it one of the preferred choices for a healthy diet.
All these 8 foods are real blood-suppliers, but when consuming them, it is important to intake them in moderation and not excessively. Also, some individuals may be allergic to certain foods, so it is important to know your allergy history before consumption.
In conclusion, the correct way of supplementing blood is vital for maintaining good health. I hope everyone can have a correct understanding of blood-supplementing foods and methods, and maintain a healthy diet.
