Food for healthy veins

A poor diet can lead to overweight and constipation, two factors that may complicate varicose veins. However, eating a balanced diet can help to fight this ailment. There are many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that support the circulatory system as well as overall health.

+ Eating a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables and low in salt and fats is the first step in treating varicose veins. Dieticians recommend eating a plate of fresh vegetables before each meal; this helps to reduce your appetite, provides a lot of nutrients, helps digestion and is low in calories. At the same time, fresh vegetables support the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and sugars in the digestive system. Citrus fruit like oranges and grapefruit, as well as other fruit such as currants, strawberries and raspberries, are high in vitamin C, vital for collagen. Collagen keeps the walls of the veins resistant and flexible. Essential fatty acids found in dried fruits and nuts, seeds and bluefish also support the circulatory system. Lastly, antioxidants –substances

found in blue berries, for example, help to repair deteriorated tissues.

One of the factors that tend to complicate the problem of varicose veins is constipation. Studies have shown that constipation increases the pressure on the veins in the legs. To avoid this, we recommend including fiber as part of your diet. Fiber is found in vegetables and is the part the body can't digest. It doesn't provide nutrients but it helps to regulate the digestive process. It is found mostly in vegetables and whole cereals (non-processed, whole grains that the seed and shell have). Whole grains are also rich in B group and E vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron and zinc. To complement a fiber rich diet, you should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Water not only helps to keep you hydrated and prevents constipation, it also supports blood circulation and the elimination of toxins.