Did you know that some of your favorite foods might actually be detrimental to your vascular health? It’s fair to say that these might be some of the most popular and beloved snacks around, but unfortunately their ability to constrict blood vessels when eaten in large quantities lands them right here on our list!
Chocolate & Coffee: While caffeine in small doses can be a good energy-booster, is also causes blood vessels to narrow — therefore increasing blood pressure. Ever had one cup too many and experienced that “heart palpitation” effect? Now you know why!
Pizza & Potato Chips: We know, we’re killing you. We can’t help it. Snacks packed with sodium might be delicious, but they’re terrible for your veins. Overloading your body with sodium can constrict blood vessels and increase blood volume, leading to hypertension. Stay away from processed foods whenever possible, as they are often high in sodium.
French Fries: Saturated fats are not your friends. In fact, having a diet high in fatty foods can increase your cholesterol and clog your arteries. While it may be convenient to pull through that drive-thru on the way home from work, resist the temptation!
Bread & Pasta: Refined carbs are notoriously bad for your health all around, but in this case, they’re particularly bad for your veins. Packing your pantry with carbs can not only cause veins to constrict due to heightened glucose levels, but they can also cause you to gain weight as well. More weight, means more pressure on your veins, which makes you more likely to develop varicose and spider veins.
Do you have any good dieting tips for preventing veins disease? Or maybe you’ve got some varicose or spider veins already that you’d like to part with. Either way, Dr. Gallagher and the team here at Advanced Dermatology would love to hear from you!