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What foods lower hemoglobin in the blood: the list of

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Most often we hear about problems associated with low hemoglobin, but exceeding its norm is also an indicator that there is something wrong with the state of health. The most common causes of increased hemoglobin levels are diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, pulmonary insufficiency, cancer, high blood density, etc. The disorder manifests itself in rapid fatigue, loss of appetite, pale skin, constant drowsiness, deterioration of vision, and dysfunction of the urinary system. Such symptoms indicate the need to go to the laboratory and take blood tests.

The level of hemoglobin is affected by iron coming into the body from food. Depending on the rate of absorption, it is divided into two types: heme and non-heme. The first quickly increases hemoglobin and is found in animal products. Non-heme iron is provided by plants and dairy products. If there are no significant deviations of hemoglobin from the norm, it will be sufficient to correct it with the help of diet, without the use of medications.

Products that lower hemoglobin in women

The normal concentration of hemoglobin in women is considered to be 120-140 grams per liter of blood. Its high level is an excess of the norm by 20 units. If the examination did not reveal compelling reasons leading to an increase in protein and requiring treatment of the disease, efforts can be directed at selecting products that reduce hemoglobin and excluding from the menu those that raise it. What should women eat? Firstly, you need to drink a lot of fluids, dehydration of the body leads to excessive concentration of hemoglobin.

Many women often take multivitamin complexes. Folic and ascorbic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12 also help to increase the protein content in the blood.

Calcium is known to interfere with iron absorption, so foods containing this microelement will also help to lower hemoglobin. These include fermented milk products, milk, cottage cheese, low-fat cheeses, certain types of seafood, cereals except buckwheat, vegetables, fruits and berries, except red ones. Thus, 200 g of Parmesan cheese contains 3 times the daily requirement of calcium, cheddar cheese - 1.8, feta cheese - 1.3, processed cheese - 75%, cottage cheese - 38%, goat milk - 36%, kefir - 30%, boiled shrimp - 27%, chicken eggs - 14%, etc. Among the first courses, rich soups should be replaced with light vegetable soups, in the summer - cold ones: okroshka, gazpacho, beetroot soup.

Many women like to indulge in sweet confectionery, but it is worth limiting their consumption. The idea that this measure will help not only stabilize hemoglobin, but also reduce weight, should help cope with the infringement of gastronomic desires.

Products that lower hemoglobin in men

For men, normal hemoglobin levels are 140-160 g/l. You should pay attention to figures that exceed these. There would be no need to dwell on the products that lower hemoglobin in men, if it were not for their addiction to meat and meat products, as well as their tendency to sometimes drink excessively. Alcohol contains a harmful combination of ethyl alcohol and iron, accelerates the absorption of the latter, and therefore increases hemoglobin. Its consumption will have to be strictly limited, or better yet, eliminated.

Animal products will also have to be excluded from the menu, especially red meat, liver, offal, they contain a lot of protein. It may be even more difficult for men to deprive themselves of these pleasures than for women - baked goods. However, lean meats will help to satiate them: chicken, turkey; seafood: squid, shrimp, mussels, white lean fish; nuts; legumes.

Having made a bet on correcting hemoglobin with the help of diet, it is necessary for both men and women to check its content from time to time, so as not to reduce its level to low values that are dangerous to health.

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