7 Surprising Health Benefits Of Donating Blood
One of the best ways to make a difference in your community is to donate blood.
There are plenty of good reasons to get out to your local blood donation clinic. That includes:
- A single pint of blood can save up to three lives
- You can learn your blood type
- Blood is always in need
- You can continue earning your Better Your Community IRLA coins
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
Unlock each of these IRLAs by leaving your community just a little bit better than you found it. An act of kindness isn’t defined by the size but by the heart. You give your time and energy to set an example worth following, serving others, and sharing yourself to be a force for change, one action at a time.
Brighten someone’s day today.
In addition to the feel-good aspects of donating blood, it turns out that there are also health benefits to donating blood. Since January is National Blood Donation Month, now is the perfect time to share a few of our favorites.
Keep in mind these are based on a few studies and are by no means medical advice. If you’re not sure if you’re healthy enough to donate blood, check with your doctor first.
Revealing The Many Health Benefits Of Donating Blood
It’s A Mini Health Screening
While you should not go to a blood donation center to find out if you are sick, the mini health screening you’ll receive will update you on your vitals. Done to make sure you’re ready for the procedure, it also serves as useful information for your overall health.
It can reveal signs of blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, certain infectious diseases, low iron, low body weight, body temperature, and more.
Donating Blood Can Prevent Hemochromatosis
Related to the excess absorption of iron by the body, hemochromatosis risk can be reduced through blood donation.
This condition can be caused by some other conditions like alcoholism and anemia. Through regular blood donation, you can help to reduce that excess iron and manage the risks for some of these health conditions.
Reducing Iron Can Reduce Cancer Risks
Another issue related to excess iron is a higher incidence of cancer. Donating blood helps to lower iron stores in the body. As seen in studies like this one from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, iron reduction was associated with lower cancer risk and mortality.
Donating Keeps Your Heart & Liver Healthy
One risk of having too much iron in your body is that it can start to have a negative effect on your heart and liver. Since our bodies can only absorb so much iron at a time, an overly iron-rich diet can lead to excess iron being stored in the heart and liver.
In extreme cases, that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, damage to the pancreas, and heart abnormalities like irregular heart rhythms.
In that way, regular blood donations can help you keep your iron levels at an appropriate level while reducing the risk of other ailments.
Calorie-Free Snack Time
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that your body may end up burning up to 650 calories replacing the pint you’ve donated.
So, how will you spend those 650 calories? You’ll have your choice of post-donation snacks, including cookies and fruits. Those are important to make sure you’re ready to go about your day afterward.
If you have some calories leftover, why not indulge in a sweet treat?
Or Treat It Like A Weight Loss Boost
While this isn’t a way to seriously lose weight, your every-other-month blood donation is a way to get your body burning a few more calories than normal.
If you’re already on your path to losing weight to improve your health, use this opportunity as a way to push forward a little further. You’ll still have the small snack after you donate, but don’t feel the need to indulge. Just be satisfied your body will get to work making more blood cells, and you’ll be closer to achieving your weight loss goals.
NO ONE CAN STOP YOU
There’s no more important journey you’ll start than the first step in caring for your health. That’s an achievement in itself. To keep earning these IRLAs, you’ll have to show your dedication and commitment, but these coins will be just a small token to symbolize the work you’re putting in for yourself to succeed. Lose weight, earn achievements, and win something even more important: a longer, more satisfying life.
Losing can be the best way to win.
Donation Stimulates Blood Cell Production
There are a number of ways to naturally stimulate your blood cell production. Exercise is one, as is diet. For another surefire way to get your body making more blood cells and maintaining your health, try donating your blood.
Ready to donate blood?
You can find a blood donation center near you by going to the American Red Cross’s official blood donation website.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
Unlock each of these IRLAs by leaving your community just a little bit better than you found it. An act of kindness isn’t defined by the size but by the heart. You give your time and energy to set an example worth following, serving others, and sharing yourself to be a force for change, one action at a time.
Brighten someone’s day today.
