Important Health Benefits You Can Get From Donating Blood

Reduce Heart Attack Risk

Regular blood donation may help reduce heart attack risk in many individuals. When an individual donates blood, their blood viscosity is decreased., and when blood has a lower viscosity, it does not produce as much friction on the blood vessels, tiny capillaries, and arteries. This mechanism results in less damage to the arterial walls, which is known to cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Overweight and obese individuals have a higher risk of having a heart attack.

Donating blood on a regular basis can assist an individual in their weight loss efforts, as mentioned earlier. We also know cardiovascular disease risk is increased when an individual has high blood iron levels, which are known to expedite the process of cholesterol oxidation in the body, causing damage to arteries. Damaged arteries lead to cholesterol and plaque buildup that produces blockages that often result in heart attacks.

Boost Liver Health

Committed and regular blood donations can boost liver health. The liver has the great responsibility of making sure toxins are quickly and safely eliminated from the body. If the liver cannot perform this function adequately, toxins build up in the individual's body and produce life-threatening medical issues. Excess iron in the body is effectively packaged up and then deposited in the pancreas, heart, and liver. Iron deposits become toxic to these organs, including the liver itself. The liver is the organ responsible for removing toxins, but it cannot do so when it is filled with toxic iron overload.

Excess iron induces cellular damage, resulting in the development of liver cirrhosis. Iron toxicity also damages the DNA of the cells, increasing the probability of malignancy development. Consistent blood donation is helpful to regularly remove excess iron before it has a chance to deposit in vital organs such as the liver. Therefore, regularly donating blood keeps the liver healthy by reducing an individual's chance of developing liver cirrhosis and cancer of multiple organs.