Blood clots pose a serious health threat, with one American losing their life to it every six minutes. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in the large veins of the leg or arm, can obstruct blood flow and lead to life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism.

While anti-coagulant drugs are a common remedy, citrus fruits can also play a role in preventing blood clots.

The high vitamin C and anti-cancer properties of these fruits offer various health benefits beyond their zesty taste.

Nataly Komova, a fitness expert at JustCBD, recommends incorporating citrus fruits into your diet to lower the risk of harmful blood clots.

Komova suggests that by adding citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits to your diet, you can strengthen your blood vessels and reduce the risk of blood clots.

These fruits are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that fortifies blood vessels and prevents harm to their walls, ultimately lowering the likelihood of blood clots forming.

“This can reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the first place.”

Furthermore, citrus fruits contain flavonoids, plant compounds that possess both anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties. These flavonoids can assist in decreasing inflammation within the body, further reducing the risk of blood clots.

The assertion made by the expert is supported by research published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The study aimed to investigate the effects of lemon on various blood parameters and clotting.

Earlier evidence had indicated that this yellow fruit has anti-clotting and clot-breaking characteristics. The study employed both in-vitro and in-vivo methodologies, meaning that it was conducted in both controlled environments, such as a test tube or petri dish, and on living organisms, lending greater credibility to its findings.

During the in-vivo testing phase, healthy rabbits were administered lemons at three different doses: 0.2ml/kg, 0.4ml/kg, and 0.6ml/kg. The 0.4ml/kg dose exhibited the most significant effects, resulting in prolonged bleeding and activation time of thrombin.

Thrombin is responsible for blood clotting by activating platelet cells and breaking down fibrinogen to form fibrin, which ultimately creates a mesh that hinders blood flow.

In addition, the study found that lemon decreased fibrinogen levels and inhibited platelet aggregation, the process by which platelets clump together to form a clot.

The researchers concluded that lemon possesses an “anti-thrombin component” and may help to prevent the formation of blood clots.

Prompt recognition of the signs and symptoms of blood clots is crucial due to their potential life-threatening nature, and quick medical intervention is necessary. The following are the main symptoms to look out for:

DVT (Arm or Leg) – if you experience any of the following, contact your doctor immediately:

• Swelling of your arm or leg
• Pain or tenderness that is not caused by an injury
• Warm skin with swelling or pain
• Redness of the skin with swelling or pain

PE (Lung) – if you experience any of the following, seek medical attention immediately:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat

It is crucial to remember that blood clots can be safely treated once they are detected.

Image Credit: Getty