8 Foods That Can Help you Fight Anemia!
Dec 14, 2022
The world revolves around a hectic lifestyle where the dietary habits are getting poorer and poorer with each passing day, and with this, the condition of anaemia is becoming more common. Anaemia is a condition where the blood lacks red blood cells or haemoglobin which results in a decreased amount of oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood. While there are many ways to treat this condition, many people turn to chemical-based products for a quick fix, however, if you look around properly the solution to this problem lies in the foods we eat, so, in this blog, we will understand anaemia its symptoms and cause and the foods that can help you fight it.
UNDERSTANDING ANAEMIA
There are various different types of Anaemia but the most common type of this condition is the lack of iron also known as iron deficiency anaemia. It happens when the body does not have the required amount of iron to create the red blood cells or haemoglobin, which is a protein responsible for the transportation of oxygen to the various parts of the body.
SYMPTOMS OF ANAEMIA
One of the most distinguished features of anaemia is fatigue, and the other common symptoms include weakness, pale skin, dizziness, chest pain, headaches, etc. and detecting and curing the condition in its early stages is crucial to avoid complications in the future.
CAUSES OF ANAEMIA
There are various different factors that contribute to the cause of this condition, the most common of them being various nutritional deficiencies like iron, vitamin B12 and folic acids. The other factors that can cause anaemia include various chronic diseases, genetic conditions, and certain medications.
WHY CHEMICAL BASED PRODUCTS ARE NOT THE BEST OPTION?
There are various options on the market that provide quick results, however many people fail to recognise the various risks and side effects that come along with the quick results they promise. These products do not really address the underlying problem and rather just cover up the surface of the problem, this can have serious issues in the long term like digestive problems, kidney damage etc.
However natural and whole food sources offer you a safe and balanced solution for Anaemia.
FOODS FOR BOOSTING IRON
Pomegranates are high in iron and vitamin C, which helps enhance iron absorption. It also has various antioxidants that contribute to the overall well-being of the body.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach are rich in vitamin C and iron.
Beets are also a great source of iron, folate and vitamin C.
Legumes like beans, lentils and chickpeas are a great source of iron, folate and fibre.
Nuts and seeds like almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds are rich in iron and vitamin E.
Fortified foods such as cereals, bread and plant-based milk are rich in various vitamins and minerals like iron.
Dried fruits like prunes, raisins and apricots are also a great source of iron.
Dark chocolate also contains a high amount of iron, so eating a bit of dark chocolate after every meal will help you stack up on the iron reserves.
While these were the foods that have a high iron content and should be consumed during iron deficiency anaemia, there are also a few foods that should be avoided like:
Avoid processed red meats, as they can cause inflammation in the body which hinders the nutrient absorption process in the body.
Avoid consuming dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese etc. as it is high in calcium content which can hinder the iron absorption process.
Avoid taking coffee and tea because they have tannins that can bind the iron molecules and hinder the iron absorption process.
In conclusion, anaemia is a condition caused due to iron deficiency in the body, and instead of opting for chemical-based products that can potentially cause you more harm in the long run, consuming whole natural foods that are rich in iron can help you easily fill up the gap of iron deficiency in your body.
