Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells (RBCs). The normal hemoglobin range for men is 13.5 to 17.5 gm/dL and 12 to 15.5 gm/dL for women. It is of utmost importance to maintain hemoglobin concentration.

What you need to know:

What functions does hemoglobin perform in our bodies?
What causes low hemoglobin?
Symptoms of low hemoglobin
What are the foods that can increase hemoglobin level?
Tips to increase your hemoglobin levels

What functions does hemoglobin perform in our bodies?

Hemoglobin is vital for carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs. It also transports carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

What causes low hemoglobin?

Some common causes of low hemoglobin are:

Substantial blood loss
Deficiency in iron, vitamin B, and folate
Kidney disease
Hypothyroidism
Thalassemia
Lung diseases
Excessive smoking

Any type of blood loss can cause anemia, including blood loss from surgery, heavy menstrual periods, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

You can detect extremely low hemoglobin levels in your system in a few ways. They include

A fast or irregular heartbeat
Fatigue
Frequent or unexplained bruising
Shortness of breath
Liver and kidney disease
Pale skin and gums
Muscle weakness
Reoccurring headaches
Dizziness
Poor appetite
Anemia in severe cases

Elevated hemoglobin levels are associated with dehydration, heart failure, and chronic lung disease. In some conditions, the bone marrow may not produce enough RBCs, leading to cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, or tumors that spread from other parts of the body into the bone marrow.

What are the foods that can improve your hemoglobin levels?

It is essential to boost your food intake to raise your hemoglobin levels. Here are some foods to increase hemoglobin levels:

Iron-rich foods: Consume iron-rich foods like fish, meat, eggs, soy products, broccoli, green leafy vegetables that include spinach, fenugreek leaves, cauliflower, green peas, cabbage, green beans, nuts and seeds, and peanut butter, to increase your hemoglobin levels.
Vitamin A: It is pertinent to consume vitamin A foods to increase hemoglobin as they absorb more iron. Vitamin A and beta-carotene can help you there. Vitamin A is found in animal food sources, such as fish and liver. Beta-carotene is found in red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables.
Folate: Folate is a type of Vitamin B that plays an essential part in hemoglobin production. A shortage of folate can prevent the red blood cells from maturing, leading to anemia. Some good sources of folate include beef, rice, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lettuce, and peanuts.
Foods rich in vitamin C: A combination of iron and vitamin C can prove to be beneficial. The latter is used for better absorption of iron. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, lemon, strawberries, papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Fruits: It is also perfect to have fruits like beetroot, apple, watermelon, papaya, oranges, litchis, kiwis, strawberries, grapefruit, banana, and peach, which can boost hemoglobin levels. Plus, dry fruits, like dates, can increase the number of erythrocytes, thereby increasing hemoglobin levels. They contain iron, vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and folic acid, which helps in the formation of red blood cells. Raisins are also a rich source of iron and copper necessary to form red blood cells.

Avoid iron blockers: Foods that block your body’s ability to absorb iron, such as coffee, tea, alcohol, and aerated drinks, should be avoided.

Tips to increase your hemoglobin levels

Here are some tips to keep in mind to increase your hemoglobin levels:

Switch to brown rice: As a superfood, brown rice can help prevent various diseases related to cholesterol and the gastrointestinal system. It is rich in iron, containing 0.52 milligrams of iron for every 100 grams.

Enjoy dark chocolate: With over 80% of cocoa, dark chocolate naturally improves hemoglobin levels. Plus, it is loaded with minerals, nutrients and antioxidants.

Drink nettle tea: The spice nettle has also proven to be a good source of iron and vitamin B and C. They can also play a part in increasing hemoglobin levels.

Exercise: Take up moderate to high-intensity exercise to help your body produce more hemoglobin to meet the oxygen demands of your body.

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