8 Fruits That Support Healthy Blood Vessels and Normal Clotting
There isn’t a fruit that can safely “dissolve blood clots.” Blood clotting is a complex process, and an existing clot such as a DVT requires medical evaluation and, when appropriate, anticoagulant treatment.
For general cardiovascular health, these fruits provide nutrients and plant compounds that may support healthy blood vessels:
-
Berries — strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries provide fiber and polyphenols.
-
Oranges and other citrus — rich in vitamin C and flavonoids.
-
Apples — provide fiber and polyphenols.
-
Pomegranates — contain antioxidant polyphenols.
-
Grapes — provide polyphenols such as resveratrol.
-
Kiwi — rich in vitamin C and fiber.
-
Avocado — technically a fruit and provides potassium, fiber, and unsaturated fats.
-
Tomatoes — botanically a fruit and an important source of lycopene.
Important if you take blood thinners
Don’t deliberately eat large amounts of a particular fruit to try to alter clotting. If you’re taking warfarin or another anticoagulant, discuss major dietary changes and supplements with your clinician or pharmacist.
If you have sudden one-sided leg swelling/pain, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood, seek emergency medical attention—food cannot safely treat a suspected blood clot.
