Food has a vital impact on overall human health. It influences the physiological mechanism of the body, from blood flow in the veins to memory recognition. By having nutritious food every day, you can keep many diseases at bay, and varicose veins are not an exception. A balanced diet always fosters a healthy weight and blood flow in the body, reducing the external pressure on your veins, a prime cause of varicose veins in many people. As the saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The role of Apple in a healthy diet cannot be ignored. It has many nutritional benefits, but are they good for varicose veins? The current description tells you the crucial need to include apples in your everyday diet when you suffer from varicose veins and how apples help you fight the symptoms caused due to varicose veins.
Varicose veins and its causes
Varicose veins are damaged veins that are mostly seen in the lower extremities due to improper blood flow. Due to the accumulation of blood, your veins may appear enlarged and twisted. Varicose veins may become life-threatening in chronic cases, but not a worry; they are symptomatic. You may experience many symptoms, such as pain, swelling, bulging veins, and fullness in your legs when you are affected by the problem. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to manage the symptoms of varicose veins and handle the medical condition effectively.
Before exploring how apples can help you manage varicose veins, it is important to understand the causes of varicose veins. A few key factors that contribute to the cause and progression of varicose veins include:
- Weakness in vein valves due to ageing makes them lose elasticity and pool blood in veins, leading to varicose veins
- If you suffer from any issues related to blood flow, it may increase pressure in veins and cause varicose vein problems
- You may also develop varicose veins if you have a family history
Other key contributing factors to varicose veins include obesity, sitting/standing for longer periods, a sedentary lifestyle, and hormonal changes that affect vein health.
How can apples help in increasing blood flow in veins?
Apples contain many nutritive values that enhance overall health, including vein health. These can protect vein health and foster blood flow in veins. Thus, apples can help address the key cause of varicose veins and help patients manage their symptoms.
Relaxes blood vessels
Apples have flavonoids like quercetin that can help relax the blood vessels and improve blood circulation in veins. The anti-inflammatory properties of these flavonoids help reduce the stress and pressure on veins, keeping them healthy for a longer time.
Maintains elasticity of blood vessels
People are prone to losing elasticity in their veins as they get older. Apples have vitamin C supplements that can produce collagen, which can strengthen and enhance the elasticity of blood vessels. When you have strong blood vessels, the chances of getting varicose veins are minimal.
Prevent blood clots
Blood clots can also lead to vein issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and varicose veins. Both DVT and varicose veins are interlinked, and if left untreated, one could develop another medical condition. Eating apples every day can prevent blood clots and reduce the chances of developing vein issues like DVT, which can lead to varicose veins. Apples contain a compound called Rutin that has antithrombotic properties that are quite effective at preventing the blood clots in veins that cause deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Maintains good heart health
Cardiovascular health is important for healthy blood circulation in the body. Apples are embossed with soluble fiber, like pectin, which can help in lowering cholesterol in the body and eventually maintaining good heart health. A healthy diet can foster good blood circulation in the body and reduce stress on veins, a key contributor to developing varicose veins.
Reduces blood viscosity
Sluggish blood flow in veins could contribute to vein pressure and develop varicose veins. Eating apples every day helps you maintain fluidity in the blood, reduce sluggish blood flow through veins, and eventually reduce pressure on veins. Apples have high water content, and it helps in keeping your body well hydrated. Also, potassium compounds found in the apple help in regulating fluid balance and blood circulation.
Maintains fluid balance in the body
Excess fluid in the body also increases pressure on veins, leading to varicose veins in the legs. Apples contain good nutrients like potassium, which can regulate fluid in the body and reduce pressure on the veins. Excess fluid accumulation in the legs could lead to varicose veins and cause many symptoms, like pain, swelling and heaviness in the legs.
Supports capillary health
The anti-inflammatory properties of apples can help you manage chronic inflammation caused due to varicose veins. They will also help to strengthen capillary health, foster effective blood flow through veins, and prevent the accumulation of blood in veins.
How to introduce apples into your regular diet?
Apples cannot completely cure varicose vein disease, but they can be part of a comprehensive approach to manage varicose veins effectively. Varicose veins are caused by improper blood flow. Apples contain a power pack of nutritive values that can promote healthy blood circulation while reducing inflammation in veins. The wonder fruit also helps to strengthen vein valves and minimise the chances of developing varicose veins among people at higher risk.
- Raw Snack: Apples are a fiber-rich fruit, and eating one a day improves digestion and blood circulation.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a good remedy if you are looking to improve blood circulation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ACV can help alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins. Tropical application of apple cider vinegar will help in reducing swelling in the legs. You can also consume the liquid orally to support healthy blood flow in the veins. Apple cider vinegar can help detoxify your body and handle inflammation caused due to varicose veins. It has balancing pH levels, which can regulate body fluids and reduce the pressure on veins when you are suffering from varicose veins.
- Smoothies: If you don’t like to snack on apples, you can blend them with smoothies and take them regularly to improve blood circulation. You can also pair the apples with cinnamon to have more benefits with anti-inflammatory properties.
Additional Lifestyle changes to manage varicose veins
Exercises
Normal exercises promote good blood circulation and help in pressing along the veins that have already pooled blood due to varicose veins. They help in pushing blood back to the heart and lower blood pressure, which is also a cause of developing varicose veins in people. A few low-impact exercises that can strengthen your calf muscles and improve your blood circulation include swimming, walking, yoga, and biking.
Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings are specially designed for varicose vein patients to help them improve blood circulation in the legs. They are available in different designs and sizes, and you can choose one based on your requirements. These compression stockings apply a graduated pressure on the legs and assist muscles and veins to push blood back towards the heart. The free flow of blood in veins helps you manage the symptoms of varicose veins effectively. Many patients who used compression stockings consistently, as recommended by the doctors, witnessed a reduction in pain and swelling caused due to varicose veins.
Keep the legs elevated
Keeping your legs elevated above the heart level will certainly improve the blood flow in the legs by reducing the stress in the leg capillaries. Strong capillaries will aid in moving the blood back through the heart smoothly. If you are already suffering from varicose veins, you should keep your legs elevated while sitting for long periods.
Massage therapy
Varicose veins affect different parts of your legs. Massaging the affected area every day will keep your blood moving through capillaries and relieve you from the symptoms of varicose veins. However, it is important to be gentle when you massage these veins because excessive pressing could damage vulnerable cells.
Stay hydrated
When you are suffering from varicose veins, you should keep your body hydrated to support blood circulation in the body. Slow blood circulation may retain fluids in the legs and worsen symptoms like leg swelling caused due to varicose veins.
Keep off from standing or sitting for long hours
Many people spend their days sitting for extended periods due to their job responsibilities. If you are one of them, remember to take breaks and move around in between to foster blood circulation in your legs.
Conclusion
Apple is a nutritive fruit that can help in managing varicose veins effectively. Consuming the apples every day helps in relaxing and improving the elasticity of the blood vessels. Apple helps to enhance blood circulation in the body and enables you to manage the symptoms of varicose veins. However, apples alone cannot be a complete cure for varicose veins, but they can be incorporated into your regular diet to improve blood circulation. Apple cider vinegar can help you fight inflammation caused due to varicose veins with topical application in the affected area.
However, if varicose veins persist or cause discomfort, professional treatment is available to restore your vein health at Avis Hospitals, providing end-to-end vein care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Apple alone cure varicose veins?
No, apples are not a one-stop shop for curing varicose veins, but they can be added to your diet plan to improve blood circulation and vein health.
How can apples help in managing varicose veins?
Apples are nutrient-rich fruits that contain vitamin C, fiber, and flavonoids. These nutrients improve the elasticity of blood vessels and relax them, improving blood circulation.
How does apple cider vinegar help in managing varicose veins?’
Apple cider vinegar can be used in two different ways to manage the symptoms of varicose veins. You can either consume it or apply it to the affected area to reduce swelling caused due to varicose veins and improve blood circulation.
How can I include apples in my regular diet?
Apples can be eaten as a snack every day or included in smoothies. When paired with anti-inflammatory ingredients like cinnamon, they tend to offer more benefits.
What are other lifestyle changes suggested to manage varicose veins?
Involve yourself in regular exercises, keep your body hydrated, and wear compression stockings to support your vein health, along with some dietary changes to maintain a healthy weight.