Is donating blood healthy for you?

Blood Have you were donated blood? Do you know that a person should donate blood in every three months, not only for others, but also for the sake of his own health. Blood donation is a major problem in the world, especially in India. According to the data revealed by the Ministry of Health, India, in 2018, India had a shortage of supply of 1.9 million units of blood. According to this data, in India, every three second someone needs a blood transfusion. Apart from the issue of donation, another major problem in the system is collection. The collection of blood is not spread out throughout the year. Blood is collected in abundance at once, during blood donation camps. This collected blood goes to waste after some time, causing a shortage for future. We often hear that donating blood can save lives of three people, but what we don’t hear is that donating blood could also save the donor. Apart from helping another human, here are the health benefits you get from donating blood regularly.Blood circulation Have you ever heard of vasodilators medication? Vasodilators are medicines given to heart patients to open up their blood vessels. Your oxygen-filled blood cannot flow in the body if the blood vessels are too weak or narrow. The simple act of smoking can make your blood vessels weak. This is just one of the many reasons behind poor blood circulation in the body. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, peripheral artery disease (PAD), diabetes, obesity and Raynaud’s disease can also cause poor blood circulation. Symptoms of reduced blood flow are muscle cramps, numbness, pain, digestive disorder and coldness in the hands and feet. Athletes and other active individuals often treat their circulatory issues with medications, but there are a few food items that can also improve a person’s blood circulation.Keeps heart healthy According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 88 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack and 33 percent less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Excess iron gets stored in the liver, pancreas, and heart, which increases the risk of developing cirrhosis, pancreatic damage, liver failure, and heart ailments. By donating blood, you keep your iron level under check and reduce the risk of liver and heart diseases.Promotes weight loss According to the researchers at the University of California, San Diego, donating blood one time can burn up to 650 calories in the bodies. A lot more research is required in this field, but if it is true then it doesn’t look like a bad idea to lose weight while doing a good deed.Stimulates Blood Cell Production To replenish the lost blood, the body produces new blood cells which strengthens the bone marrow of an individual. Bone marrow is a tissue, where new blood cells are created. A weak bone marrow cannot produce white blood cells and red blood cells, which could impact the immune system.Lowers the risk of cancer According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, in 2017, removing excess iron from the blood can reduce the chances of cancer. The study says iron in the system gives strength to cancer causing free-radicals. Excess iron can also block anti-oxidants from tackling these free-radicals.