Top 15 Foods to Increase Platelet Count Naturally

Reviewed by Experts

Are you aware of the issue of low platelets? The incidence of Dengue and Covid has brought the issue of low platelets into the limelight. Platelets are tiny, colourless blood cells that play a significant role in the clotting of blood during wounds or cuts.

“When you get a cut, for example, the platelets bind to the site of the damaged vessel, thereby causing a blood clot. There’s an evolutionary reason why they’re there. It’s to stop us from bleeding.”
-Dr. Marlene Williams, M.D. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Centre

A healthy platelet count ranges between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. 

What is Normal Platelet Count According to Age

A low platelet count, also known as thrombocytopenia, can lead to excessive bleeding and other health problems. Many factors can cause a low platelet count, including viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer treatment. 

What are the signs of low platelet Count 

When an individual’s platelet count falls below the standard guideline of 150,000/mcL, it can lead to challenges in controlling even minor bleeding throughout the body. This situation can manifest with the following symptoms:

• Persistent bleeding, even from minor wounds.
• Development of bruises.
• Excessive fatigue
• Appearance of red or purple skin spots due to blood vessel leakage.
• Experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Detection of blood in urine or stool.
• Occurrence of bleeding from the nose or gums.

How can Covid impact your platelet count

Platelet count drops due to viral infections, and since COVID-19 is a form of viral infection, a patient suffering from COVID will have a sharp drop in their platelet counts. Thrombocytopenia is one of the early symptoms of COVID-19 and may lead to severe exhaustion, fatigue, and breathlessness in the patients. [39]

Nutrients that increase platelet count

Here’s a list of nutrients that can answer the query, of how to increase platelets naturally:

1. Vitamin B-12

This nutrient is present abundantly in Beef liver, Clams, Eggs, as well as dairy items like milk and cheese. [31]

2. Folate

This nutrient is present abundantly in Peanuts, black-eyed peas, oranges and orange juice, kidney beans. [32]

3. Iron

In certain specific foods, you can discover elevated levels of iron, such as in lentils, mussels, pumpkin seeds, and beef. [33]

4. Curcumin

The bioactive compound, Curcumin effectively hinders platelet activation and aggregation while enhancing platelet count. The turmeric root has high amounts of Curcumin in it. This root is popularly used in the Indian subcontinent as both a spice and coloring agent. To answer the question, does turmeric increase platelet count, you must know that this incredible root is a potent Ayurvedic remedy for low platelet count issues. [36]

5. Vitamin C

If you are wondering how to increase platelets naturally, you should look at obtaining ample vitamin C from various dietary sources, including mangoes, green or red bell peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, broccoli, and cauliflower.  [34]

15 Foods to Increase Platelet Count Naturally

While there are medical treatments available to increase platelet count, Ayurveda offers several natural remedies that can help to improve platelet count. One of the most effective ways to increase platelet count is to consume foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that can help to stimulate the production of platelets. Here are the top 15 foods that can increase platelet count naturally:

1. Papaya Leaf Juice

Papaya leaf juice is a potent natural remedy for increasing platelet count. The enzyme papain present in papaya leaves can help to increase platelet production. To prepare papaya leaf juice, wash a few leaves of the Papaya tree and crush them to extract the juice. Drink two tablespoons of papaya leaf juice twice a day for a week to increase platelet count.

Want to explore more about papaya ? Read our related article on – Some amazing benefits of Papaya

2. Spinach

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for the production of platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can help to protect the platelets from damage. Adding spinach to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

3. Beetroot

Beetroot offers many health benefits and is a rich source of iron, folate, and vitamin C, which can help to stimulate the production of platelets. It also contains betacyanin, which can help to protect the liver, an organ that is involved in the production of platelets. Drinking beetroot juice or adding it to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally. [7]

4. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a rich source of vitamin C, which can help stimulate platelet production. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Eating fresh amla, drinking amla juice, or eating amla murabba can help to increase platelet count naturally. 

Read our related article on – 10 Incredible Benefits of Amla oil for Hair

5. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a rich source of antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. It also contains iron, which is essential for the production of platelets. Drinking pomegranate juice or adding it to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

6. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a rich source of vitamin A, which can help to stimulate the production of platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Adding pumpkin to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

7. Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is a rich source of chlorophyll, which can help to stimulate the production of red blood cells and platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Drinking wheatgrass juice or adding it to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

Are you interested in learning more about wheatgrass – Explore our article on 12 Proven Benefits of Wheatgrass

8. Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a rich source of iron, which is essential for the production of platelets. They also contain zinc, which can help to stimulate the production of platelets. Eating sesame seeds or adding them to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

9. Turmeric

Does Turmeric increase platelet count? Yes, it does. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help to stimulate the production of platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Adding turmeric to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

10. Guduchi

Also known as Tinospora cordifolia, Guduchi is a herb commonly used in Ayurveda to support the immune system and increase platelet count. Guduchi can be consumed in the form of tea, tincture, or supplement. 

11. Carrots

Carrots as numerous health benefits and are a rich source of vitamin A, which can help to stimulate the production of platelets. They also contain antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Adding carrots to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

12. Figs

Figs are a good source of iron, which is essential for healthy blood and platelet production. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried, as a snack or added to salads and smoothies.

Apart from increasing platelet count – Learn how Dry Figs can help you in improving digestion

13. Ginger

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help to stimulate the production of platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Adding ginger to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

14. Ashwagandha

Known for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha can help to reduce stress and support the immune system, which can promote the production of healthy platelets. Ashwagandha can be consumed in the form of tea, tincture, or supplement.

15. Honey

Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help to stimulate the production of platelets. It also contains antioxidants that can protect the platelets from damage. Adding honey to your diet can help to increase platelet count naturally.

Want to know more about honey? Explore our article on some amazing benefits of honey for hair and skin

Foods to avoid if your platelets are low

Energy drinks have demonstrated the capacity to elevate platelet aggregation, while caffeine, a common component in these beverages, is associated with an increase in platelet microparticle formation. [35] Alcohol should be avoided [37] and so should cow’s milk and cranberry juice. [38]

FAQs

References:

1. Platelet Disorders – Thrombocytopenia | NHLBI, NIH
2. Determinants of platelet count in humans – PMC (nih.gov)
3. Leaf Juice of Carica papaya L.: A Remedy of Dengue Fever
4. Carica papaya Leaves Juice Significantly Accelerates the Rate of Increase in Platelet Count among Patients with Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (hindawi.com)
5. Dietary Spinach Saponin-Enriched Lipophilic Fraction Inhibits Platelet Aggregation and Blood Coagulation | Journal of Medicinal Food (liebertpub.com)
6. The Potential of Spinach (Spinacia olarecea) Leaves Extract in Increasing Platelet Count | Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Abstracts (aaresearchindex.com)
7. Nutrients | Free Full-Text | Acute Effects of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure, Hemostasis and Vascular Inflammation Markers in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study (mdpi.com)
8. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced procoagulant and pro-inflammatory factors in cultured vascular endothelial cells | British Journal of Nutrition | Cambridge Core
9. Clinical evaluation of Emblica Officinalis Gatertn (Amla) in healthy human subjects: Health benefits and safety results from a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled study – ScienceDirect
10. Effects of Pomegranate Juice and Extract Polyphenols on Platelet Function(researchgate.net)
11. Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet aggregation: studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E–deficient mice | The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
12. Natural remedies to increase platelet count(thepharmajournal.com)
13. Immunoprophylactic potential of wheat grass extract on benzene-induced leukemia: An in vivo study on murine model – PMC (nih.gov)
14. The Effect of Wheatgrass Lyophilizate on Blood Clotting Time in Rats (mdpi.com)
15. Antithrombosis effect of sesame seeds and flour cultured with microorganisms. (cabdirect.org)
16. Sesamol induces apoptosis in human platelets via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial damage – ScienceDirect
17. Inhibitory effect of curcumin, a food spice from turmeric, on platelet-activating factor- and arachidonic acid-mediated platelet aggregation through inhibition of thromboxane formation and Ca2+ signaling – ScienceDirect
18. Curcumin, a major component of food spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) inhibits aggregation and alters eicosanoid metabolism in human blood platelets – ScienceDirect
19. Guduchi: Its Medicinal Properties (researchgate.net)
20. A single case study: Guduchi Kwath (Tinospora Cordifolia) in dengue fever(researchgate.net)
21. Nutritional and Health Benefits of Carrots and Their Seed Extracts (scirp.org)
22. A review on nutritional values and pharmacological importance of Ficus carica
23. Effect of ginger on platelet aggregation in man. – Abstract – Europe PMC
24. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease – ScienceDirect
25. Immunomodulatory Effect Of Ashwagandha Against Doxorubicin Toxicity(researchgate.net)
26. Studies on immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts in experimental immune inflammation – ScienceDirect
27. Effect Of Natural Honey On Human Platelets And Blood Coagulation Proteins(researchgate.net)
28. Nutrients | Free Full-Text | Honey and Its Phenolic Compounds as an Effective Natural Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases in Humans? (mdpi.com)

29. Platelet count and aging
30. PLATELET DISORDERS Thrombocytopenia
31. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D Deficiencies: An Unusual Cause of Fever, Severe Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia
32. Folate
33. Severe Thrombocytopenia with Iron Deficiency Anemia
34. Effect of Vitamin C on Platelet Adhesiveness and Platelet Aggregation in Coronary Artery Disease Patients
35. The influence of diet and nutrients on platelet function
36. Regulatory Effects of Curcumin on Platelets: An Update and Future Directions 
37.  Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Platelet, Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time of Alcoholics in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
38. A juicy problem
39. Platelets and COVID-19