World Blood Donor Day 2017: 4 reasons why you should donate blood

Here are 4 health benefits of blood donation. Yes, donating blood can help you in the long run!

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: June 13, 2017 11:11 am

June 14^th is celebrated as World Blood Donor Day (WBDD)

Transfusion of blood helps in saving millions of lives every year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions like thalassemia to live longer and with an improved quality of life along with supporting complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential role in maternal and child healthcare. It is important to know that human blood cannot be manufactured, people donating blood is the only source and that is why it is important to donate blood and help those who need it.

We all know that donating blood can help save lives, but did you know that blood donation has numerous benefits for the donor as well and not just the recipient! Our expert Dr Prashant Pandey, Executive Consultant, Blood Bank & Transfusion Medicine, Jaypee Hospital, Noida reveals top four reasons why you need to donate blood.

1. Improves your cardiovascular health

Not many people are aware of the fact that regular blood donations can help you to keep your iron level in check. The excessive iron buildup in the body can cause oxidative damage, which is the major cause of tissue damage. Hence, donating blood not only maintains the iron content in the body in control but also showed a significant reduction in the overall risk of heart disease. Moreover, it also improves the heart health by lowering your risk of premature ageing, stroke and heart attack.

2. Lowers your risk of liver disease and cancer

According to Dr Nitin Agarwal, Associate Consultant, Blood Bank & Transfusion Medicine, Jaypee Hospital, Noida although no studies claim that donating blood lowers your risk of liver damage and cancer, but it is seen that it has a positive effect on the liver. The mechanism of action is based on the iron metabolism. As the excess of iron in the body puts pressure on the liver, predisposing you to a liver problem, donating blood helps you to stabilise the iron content in the blood, thereby lowering the risk of liver damage. Also, excess iron deposits in the liver cause the oxidation of the liver tissue, damaging the organ, which in extreme cases can lead to cancer. And hence, regularly donating blood lowers your chances of liver cancer. Also read about facts you should know about blood donation.

3. Helps you lose weight

You can shed up to 650 – 700 Kcal by donating blood just once. However, weight is all about calorie intake and hence, blood donation can aid in controlling your body weight. However, it should not be the only way to lose weight. However, one should donate blood safely and once in three months (and not more frequently) as this will affect your health and your blood haemoglobin and iron levels. Here are myths on blood donation busted.

4. Gives you a mental satisfaction

There is no doubt that donating blood is a wonderful feeling as you can help in saving lives. As there are no perfect substitutes for human blood, blood donation is the key. The blood you donate is divided into various components according to the need of patients and can be used by different recipients for different purposes. Every time you donate blood, you can help up to 3 or 4 individual recipients, which lends a feeling of happiness and being compassionate.

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Published : June 14, 2016 6:02 pm | Updated:June 13, 2017 11:11 am

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