Diet and blood viscosity
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Diet Patterns and Blood Viscosity in Healthy Individuals
Research shows that certain dietary patterns can directly influence blood viscosity, which is a key factor in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Studies in healthy humans have found that specific diets, such as vegetarian diets, dried-bonito broth, and onion–olive-oil supplementation, can significantly reduce blood viscosity and improve blood fluidity compared to control groups. These dietary interventions also led to reductions in related parameters like hematocrit and plasma viscosity, suggesting that components of healthy diets may help maintain optimal blood flow and reduce disease risk .
High-Fat, High-Salt, and Alcohol Diets Increase Blood Viscosity
Animal studies have demonstrated that long-term consumption of high-fat, high-salt diets, especially when combined with alcohol, leads to significant increases in both whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity. These changes are associated with increases in red blood cell count, hematocrit, and other blood components that contribute to thicker blood. The mechanism involves not only changes in blood cell counts but also imbalances in factors like fibrinogen and endothelial function, which further elevate blood viscosity and blood pressure 25.
Low-Fat Diets and Blood Viscosity Reduction
Evidence from both clinical and observational studies indicates that low-fat diets can help lower blood viscosity. In patients with cerebrovascular disease, following a low-fat diet for several months resulted in a marked decrease in blood viscosity, bringing it closer to levels seen in healthy individuals. This suggests that reducing dietary fat intake may be beneficial for those at risk of vascular diseases by improving blood flow properties .
Dietary Sodium, Obesity, and Blood Viscosity in Adults
In apparently healthy adults, higher dietary sodium intake, obesity, and aging are all associated with increased blood viscosity and plasma viscosity. These factors, along with higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels, contribute to thicker blood, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. The relationship between diet and blood viscosity is strong enough that simple measurements of hematocrit and plasma protein can predict blood viscosity in most adults .
Mechanisms: Inflammation, Gut Health, and Blood Viscosity
Unhealthy diets rich in fat, sugar, and salt can disrupt the intestinal barrier and trigger chronic inflammation, which in turn increases blood viscosity. Interventions with certain traditional medicinal herbs, such as Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), have been shown to counteract these effects by repairing gut integrity, reducing inflammation, and lowering fibrinogen synthesis, ultimately leading to improved blood viscosity and microcirculation .
Conclusion
Overall, the evidence indicates that diet plays a significant role in regulating blood viscosity. Healthy dietary patterns—low in fat, salt, and processed foods, and rich in plant-based components—can reduce blood viscosity and support cardiovascular health. Conversely, diets high in fat, salt, and alcohol increase blood viscosity and related risk factors. Addressing diet is therefore a practical and effective strategy for managing blood viscosity and reducing the risk of vascular diseases 12456.
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