5 Natural Blood Cleansers

What if you could brush your circulatory system just like you brush your teeth, and clear away any dangerous build-ups that may be obstructing a healthy blood flow? Well, wonder no more, because you can. Certain foods have natural and effective unblockers, and even if you're not suffering from such blockages, adding them to your daily menu will help reduce the risk of developing clogged blood vessels in the future, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Remember, prevention is so much better than treatment.

While everyone is terrified of elevated levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol), most people don\t know that the actual levels of cholesterol are unimportant. It's how much of it is oxidized that matters. Even if your cholesterol levels are balanced, you can still be at high risk of atherosclerosis (a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty material on their inner walls)if the cholesterol is oxidized.

For years, researchers have been looking for a way to prevent the oxidization of cholesterol, only to find that the most effective way is
to add certain foods to your diet. Many studies found that certain fruits and vegetables work wonders for unblocking blood vessels, and prevent
uture obstructions too.

Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in vitamin E. This is essential in preventing blood clots. A recent Japanese study required participants with high cholesterol
levels to drink 1½ cups of juice that contained broccoli each day.
Within six weeks, there was a noticeable decrease in LDL levels
in their blood.

Broccoli also contains lutein, which is effective in preventing
cataracts and premature aging of the soft tissues in our eyes.

Onions

What makes our eyes cry makes our body happy.
The sulfuric compounds in onion, which cause our tear ducts to act more like tear rivers, are also effective blood thinners, and can elevate the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Furthermore, onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant that is a particularly effective anti-inflammatory. Since the cause of atherosclerosis is plaque buildup, which is an inflammatory process, quercetin plays a vital role in its prevention. Eating onions
reduces blood flow, which reduces the strain on your blood vessels, keeping them more elastic.

Onions are also effective in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. However, it's important to remember that these benefits are
only relevant for raw onions, as cooking destroys many
of the healthy nutrients in it.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are treasure troves of nutrients that protect our
blood vessels and neutralize free radicals. They are filled
with lycopene, an antioxidant that helps lower oxidized
LDL levels, thus reducing the risk of developing blockages.
If that wasn't enough, tomatoes also contain a natural NSAID-like substance that helps in thinning out the blood.

The lycopene is not destroyed when cooked, so it will be healthy whether eaten raw or cooked.In men, this can prevent prostate cancer.

Pomegranates

The powerful antioxidants in pomegranates are the reason this
fruit is considered to be the body's plumber. These antioxidants
(called anthocyanins) are very powerful, even more than those
found in red wine. Drinking just ½ a cup of pomegranate juice a
day helps in preventing the buildup of contaminants in blood
vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Pomegranates can be kept in the fridge for up to six months, though the longer you wait the lower the levels of antioxidants become.
To learn more about pomegranate juice, click here.

Beets

Beets contain a unique compound called betaine. This compound neutralizes homocysteine in your blood vessels, which, in high levels can cause myocardial infarction (a heart attack). Another nutrient beets contain is folic acid, which also aids in neutralizing homocysteine. If that's not enough, they also contain potassium and magnesium, substances that can lower blood pressure.

Russian researchers discovered that beet juice changes the activity of enzymes in the liver that boost the cells' natural autoxidation processes. They are also great for diabetics, thanks to their high concentration of nutritional fibers.

Added bonus: Beets provide an effectiverelief fromconstipation without causing bloating or gas.

Other Foods that are Beneficial to Blood Vessels

Oranges and cherries,which contain bioflavonoids.

Beer yeast, whichcontains a lot of vitamins.

Watermelon,which,liketomatoes, is rich in lycopene.

Strawberries, which are rich in antioxidants and niacin.