“You are what you eat!”
We’ve all heard this phrase at some point—whether it was from our parents or the doctors we went to. And while it might sound like a cliché, studies have shown that our diet has a dramatic impact on our overall health.
Dietary practices can greatly increase or decrease the risk of certain diseases and health disorders developing.
Your diet also plays a vital role in ensuring the optimal circulation of blood in the body. Certain foods are either very good or very bad for vein health. This is why people who suffer from varicose veins need to be quite careful when it comes to the types of food they consume.
Here’s a list of foods that can exacerbate varicose veins and must be avoided to improve circulation:
Processed Meats
Processed meats such as sausages, cooked ham, and bacon are notorious for their high salt content. The recommended daily allowance of salt for an average adult is six grams. To provide some context, a couple of rashers of bacon contain almost 1.8 grams of salt.
Too much salt is dangerous for vein health, as it can impede circulation. Excess salt consumption causes the body to conserve excess water and throws off the balance of minerals and fluids.
Increased water retention also makes the blood thicker, increasing blood pressure as the body struggles to pump it around the body.
Refined Carbohydrates
Simple or refined carbohydrates can have a negative effect on vein health, largely because fiber is essential for regular bowel movements. How are the two related?
The absence of fiber in refined carbohydrates strains the digestive system and affects bowel movements. This increases the risk of damaging the veins in the lower rectum, due to added pressure, and can worsen varicose veins in the legs.
Alcohol
People with varicose veins should avoid excess alcohol consumption. While not strictly a food, alcohol can have a major negative impact on varicose veins. Too much alcohol consumption can put excess pressure on the liver, causing congestion, which can exacerbate varicose veins.
Alcohol consumption also causes frequent urination, resulting in dehydration. The resulting fluid imbalances cause the blood to become thicker, and circulation becomes sluggish, causing blood to pool in the veins.
Professional Vein Treatment for Venous Disorders in New York:
Varicose Veins Doctors is one of the top-ranking vein specialists in Manhattan, New York.
Our team of certified vein experts has extensive experience in providing expert diagnoses for various venous disorders.
We offer customized treatment plans for our patients after a complete evaluation of their health history and current condition.
We provide specialized advanced vein treatments such as laser ablation, sclerotherapy, and ClariVein for vein diseases such as spider vein, leg cramps, chronic venous insufficiency, and varicose veins.
Call 212-906-9111 today to schedule a vein evaluation!
