Platelets are one of the very crucial blood cells that help with blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. Usually, the platelets do not get as much attention as the white blood cells and the red blood cells. But as far as the importance of right level of blood platelets are concerned, they can’t be ignored as they have a crucial role. These small colorless, sticky, plate-shaped blood cells help in the clotting of the blood in case of injury- big or small and prevent excessive bleeding.

We need to maintain the right levels of Platelet Count in our blood. For any reason, if the platelet count falls, then we got to increase the platelets count by any means including eating foods that help boost blood platelet count.

Some of the most common symptoms of low platelets counts in blood can be extended bleeding from cuts, excessive bruising or blood in stool or urine, involuntary bleeding from gums or nose etc. In case of any of these symptoms, along with constant feeling of weakness, fatigue, malaise and very heavy menstrual flow (in women), then it is the right time to check the blood platelet count.

Healthy platelet count is between 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. This is actually very much necessary to avoid the thickening of the blood which otherwise can lead to dangerous clots in your system and several severe health complications.

Sadly, there are many cases of individuals suffering from low platelet count. And in most cases, the decrease in the count is due to genetic disorders, viral diseases etc. Well, I understand, in many cases, the prevention of the diseases is not fully in our hands, but what we can do is to treat the problem more effectively or at least not let it get too worse.

Thankfully, there are many ways to boost blood platelet count, and one of the easiest and natural ways to increase platelet count in blood is by eating foods that’s considered to be the best in boosting platelet counts. And today in this post, I am sharing the list of 12 whole grain foods that’s believed to boost platelet counts in your blood.

Foods to increase platelet count naturally

The foods we consume on a day to day basis play a very important role in our wellbeing. While in general one must maintain a proper balanced diet to remain fit and healthy, in special cases where someone is suffering from a particular health concern, then they must eat foods that help in the prevention and the cure of that specific health disorder.

So if your platelet count is below normal levels and you want to boost the platelet levels then you can do so by eating foods that are believed to be platelet boosting. By eating such platelet boosting foods, not only you will be able to increase the platelet count, but it may also help in treating the condition that has led to the low platelet count in your blood cells.

Listed below are a few of the best foods to increase platelet count naturally.

Papaya

Papaya is one of the high rated foods that helps increase platelet count naturally, and studies have already proven its efficiency in increasing platelet count and providing other health benefits.

In fact, not just the ripe papaya fruit, it is extremely beneficial to consume the papaya leaf or papaya leaf extract. As per research done by the Asian Institute of Science and Technology in Malaysia, papaya leaves extract was found to be very effective in increasing the blood platelet count in patients who were suffering from dengue. 

How to use

Papaya is one such fruit that is totally edible, from its pulp to seeds and even papaya leaves. You can have the fruit raw, ripe or make a concoction made from papaya leaves and see the results for yourself. For making the concoction, all you need to do is to simply boil the papaya leaves with water in a container. Strain it and drink the extract two times.

Pomegranate

There are many health benefits of pomegranate and increasing platelet count is definitely one of the vital reasons. The diamond-like blood red seeds of the pomegranate are full of nutrients possessing anti-inflammatory; antioxidant and immune-boosting properties that help you stay healthy and keeps the platelet counts in your blood at right levels.

The efficiency of pomegranate in increasing the platelet count is already proven by science and so, there is no reason to not add this magical fruit to your diet, especially when your platelet counts are below normal range.

How to use – To get the maximum benefits in boosting platelet counts, you can simply make juice of the pomegranate and drink it or you may add the seeds to smoothies, salads or in your breakfast bowl. Try to have the fresh fruit over processed and packaged juice.

Pumpkin

The next in the list of the essential foods to increase platelet count naturally is of course the pumpkin. The reason behind its efficiency in boosting platelet levels is due to the rich amount of Vitamin A in it that supports the development of the platelets, as well as aid in regulation of the proteins that are produced by your body cells. This regulation of the protein cells is highly important for increasing the count of the platelets in the system.

How to use – Drink half glass of fresh pumpkin juice by adding a teaspoon of honey in it, twice a day to quickly boost the platelet levels. You may also add the pumpkin to smoothies, puree, soups, stews, baked goods etc for the good effects.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens must be consumed to stay healthy in general. But when there is a dip in your blood platelet count, the importance of consuming the leafy greens increases, and studies have confirmed this as well.

When you suffer an injury, your body activates proteins that stimulates the blood clot formation and stops the bleeding. However, the activation of the proteins depends on the Vitamin K without which there will not be any blood clot. Hence, you must eat the Vitamin K rich leafy greens like kale, spinach etc. to improve your blood platelet count.  

How to use – You can eat the leafy greens the way you like. You may simply add them to your smoothies and salads or have them boiled, blanched or in the form of curries, the point is to have it. 

Milk

Milk is an excellent source of Vitamin D, Vitamin K, calcium and folate. Now, you already know that the deficiency of Vitamin K prevents proper clotting of the blood and hence may lead to severe bleeding. So, milk being rich in Vitamin K is definitely one of the vital reasons why you should drink more milk while your platelet count is low.

How to use – The simplest way is to consume a glass of fresh milk in the morning or before going to sleep. You may also add it to your dessert, breakfast bowl or in your smoothie.

Wheatgrass

If the study published in the International Journal of Universal Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 2011 edition is to be believed, then the wheatgrass is definitely one of the best food options that increase platelet count naturally.

Research has shown that it increases the hemoglobin, red blood cells as well as the differential white blood cell numbers. The most important reason is because it is rich in chlorophyll and has a molecular structure that is almost similar to that of hemoglobin.

How to use – It is best if you drink about half cup of wheatgrass juice mixed with a bit of lemon juice on a regular basis to increase blood platelets fast and naturally.

Fish and lean meat

As per the Thunder Bay Regional Health Center, it is good to have a high-protein diet in order to increase the count of the blood platelets in your system.  Lean meat and fish are hence said to help in boosting platelets counts. Moreover, these foods are also a great source of Vitamin B12 and zinc.

Vitamin B12 promotes the production of platelets and its deficiency may cause thrombocytopenia while zinc improves the immunity and its deficiency as per Linus Pauling Institute, it may result in the slow healing of the wound.

How to use – Increase the consumption of the lean meats. Consume more fish, chicken breasts etc every day.

Vitamin C rich foods

It is advisable that you include more Vitamin C rich foods in your everyday diet in order to improve the platelet count. The main reason behind this recommendation is because Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant and when you take it in higher doses, it actually helps the free radical damage caused to your blood platelets.

How to use – As per Mayo Clinic, the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C is about 65-90 mg. And, so to get the maximum benefits, eat the Vitamin C rich foods like broccoli, oranges, kiwi, lemons, spinach, bell peppers etc. in your diet in any way you like.

Sprouts

Most of us do not like brussels sprouts but when it comes to the benefits, we simply can’t ignore it’s efficiency. Brussel sprouts is very much necessary for improving the blood platelet count in your body and the main reason behind it is the presence of Vitamin K in it which is very much needed to increase the platelet count. The deficiency of Vitamin K can lead to continuous bleeding and hence, it is important you consume Vitamin K rich brussels sprouts to gain the health benefits.

How to use – It is best if you go for the grilled and well-seasoned brussels sprouts. But, if you want, you may also toss some in your salad along with other veggies.

Raisins

You can include raisins in your diet because they are one of the main whole foods that increase platelet count naturally. The primary reason behind the recommendation is due to the richness of iron in it. Iron deficiency is one reason behind the occurrence of thrombocytopenia or low platelet count and anemia as per studies, so you need to eat the iron rich raisins to increase your platelet and RBC count.

How to use – Soak the raisins nightlong and in the morning, consume them by adding them to your smoothies, milk or in the breakfast bowl. You may also consider the option of using them in your desserts or just simply pop 4-5 of them in your month in between the large meals.

Indian gooseberry

Indian gooseberries or Amla is definitely one option to consider when it comes to increasing the blood platelet count in your body. It is also very effective in giving a boost to your immune system. In fact, many a times, the doctors recommend Indian gooseberry to patients of dengue fever which also results in low blood platelet count. 

How to use – The simplest method is to take around 3-4 Indian gooseberries every morning in an empty stomach. You may also consume the juice of Amla and honey. If you drink it 2-3 times daily, you will definitely gain the benefits. However, if you want something tastier as well as beneficial, then you may even consume homemade jam or pickles made from Indian gooseberries or Amla.

Folate rich foods

As per Medline Plus, a severe case of folate deficiency can lead to low levels of platelet count in your system. So you must eat folate rich foods if you want to balance the level of platelets in your blood. Folate or Vitamin B9 is essential for the division of cells which supports increased platelets count. It is advisable that adults should take about 400 micrograms of folate in a day.

How to use – Folate naturally occurs in many food items like oranges, kidney beans, black beans, peanuts, spinach, lentils, asparagus etc. Make all of these a part of your diet and try to keep the content of folate in your body balanced. It’ll help you maintain the normal level of platelet counts in your blood.

Other best ways to increase platelet count fast

It is very important to have properly balanced diet in order to remain fit and healthy. But even if we fall sick or get stuck by any health disorder, then there may be many ways to get rid of it.

For instance, if your blood platelet count is below normal range, then you may like to eat platelet boosting foods, which we have already discussed above. But apart from eating mindfully, there are many other ways to increase platelet count and that’s what I am discussing below.

So here are the other easy ways to boost platelet count fast and naturally.

Avoid excess alcohol consumption– Alcohol slows the production of platelets and so it is very much necessary that you avoid overconsumption of alcohol as much as possible.

Avoid sugary drinks – The processed drinks with high sugar contents can be very damaging in the long run and hence it is best to avoid them if you want to remain fit, healthy and keep your platelets count under normal range. The main reason is because such drinks contain many chemicals that can disturb the production of the platelets. Like, for example artificial sweeteners like synthetic colors, aspartame, preservative etc. are considered to be harmful in long run.

Minimize the expose to toxic chemicals – Chemicals such as pesticides we get from non-organic produce, mercury from many seafood, benzene, arsenic, all of these slow down the production of platelet. So you must avoid exposure to all of these. And for that, you may follow the below ways:

• Try buying organic produce as much as possible
• Use low volatile paints to paint your home
• Use natural beauty products or cleaning products instead of the chemical-based ones
• Use organic fertilizers to grow your own food in the garden
• Use ceramic containers or glass to store the leftovers instead of using plastic containers or those made of BPA aluminum toxins. Never heat up food in plastic containers
• Avoid burning chemical sprays, candles or fragrances

Stop or at least decrease painkilling drugs– Over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin can thin your blood and affect the platelet count, so it is best to avoid them, when you can.

Avoid injury– If you are already diagnosed with low platelet count then try to avoid injuries as much as possible as injuries can actually worsen the situation.

Over to you

Normal platelets count is seriously important as it has vital role to play, as far as bleeding and healing of wounds are concerned. So, one should always try to keep the platelet count within the normal range. And if it falls, then it should not be taken lightly and one should start the medication and remedies as advised by a professional physician or a doctor.

I am sure you know how threatening your situation can get if the platelet count goes below normal range. But thankfully, there are remedies, foods and ways to increase the platelet count and we have already discussed many of them above.

By eating platelet boosting foods and avoiding certain foods, you should be able to boost the blood platelet counts fast and naturally.

I have already talked about 12 such foods that can help you recover your platelet count. You may not like all of them but for the sake of your health, you need to include these in your diet.

 And finally, if you liked my post and found it useful, then please show your support by liking, commenting and sharing the post with others.

Until the next post, stay healthy, stay happy.