Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
You’re not alone if your count of RBC(red blood cell) is low. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the only mineral deficiency that is universally widespread in developed countries.
This is a concern because the mineral is important for transporting oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body.
If your level of RBC (red blood cell) decreases, or if your red blood cells do not function as they should, it may prevent the body from performing essential functions.
If the levels drop significantly, the condition may be diagnosed as anaemia.
In this blog, we will discuss the various foods to increase haemoglobin. But before we talk about RBC-boosting foods, let’s understand the causes of low RBC.
Causes of low RBC Count
A low RBC count indicates a decrease in the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood. This is known as anaemia. Anaemia can be caused by a variety of illnesses, nutritional deficits, and medical diseases. Some examples are:
- Failure of the kidneys
- Thyroid issues
- Internal and external bleeding
- Leukaemia
- Side effects of medications, including chemotherapy
- Multiple myeloma
- Erythropoietin deficiency, a kidney hormone that increases RBC growth
- Iron, folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6 deficiencies
- Pregnancy
These foods should be an essential part of your diet
The following foods are expert-recommended and contain natural properties that raid the boosting your red blood cell count.
Pomegranate
These red-coloured juicy and sweet seeds are a rich source of both calcium and iron along with protein, carbohydrates and fibre.
It is one of the best foods that help in increasing the haemoglobin count and regeneration of red blood cells, thanks to the wealth of nutrients in this wondrous fruit.
According to nutritionists, you should drink pomegranate juice daily or consume it raw as salad or in the cooked form, in order to ensure your haemoglobin levels are at par.
Dates, raisins & figs
These dried fruits are packed with energy and are super nourishing. They provide ample sources of iron that increase haemoglobin levels in the blood.
A handful of dried figs and raisins, along with two or three dates, can give you instant energy and increase your haemoglobin levels in the morning.
Beetroots
Beetroot is a powerhouse of nutrients and chemicals called nitrates, that can do wonders to increase haemoglobin levels.
It is not only high in iron content but also folic acid along with potassium and fibre.
Drinking beetroot juice every day helps in the repair and reactivation of red blood cells in the body, increasing the delivery of oxygen to all areas of the body.
Legumes
Legumes like kidney beans, chickpeas, soybeans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, peanuts, peas and beans can also help increase haemoglobin levels significantly.
The best part is that they are not only rich in iron but contain folic acid too, which helps in the building and production of new blood cells.
Pumpkin seeds
These crunchy seeds serve about eight milligrams of iron along with sufficient calcium, magnesium and manganese content.
Not to mention, these tiny seeds are a good source of minerals such as copper, which is known to increase the red blood cell or RBC count in the body.
Sprinkle them over salads or in your smoothies; make use of these tiny delights anywhere you’d want for a faster boost in the levels of haemoglobin in the blood.
Watermelon
While it might not be the first fruit to spring to mind when you think of superfoods, watermelon is one of the best fruits that helps to increase haemoglobin.
This sweet, delicious, and water-packed fruit comes packed with high iron and vitamin-C content that makes the iron absorption process better and faster.
Watermelons are often eaten fresh, but they can also be frozen, juiced, or blended into smoothies.
Final thoughts
Regular exercise and other lifestyle adjustments may also assist to boost your red blood cell count.
If these measures fail, your doctor may recommend medicines and blood transfusions to boost your red blood cell count.
Moreover, you should also frequently opt for health screening. It provides you with vital insights into your health, allowing you to take necessary measures to improve it.
