5 nutrients that increase red blood cell counts

Healthy foods for your body

Eating foods rich in these five nutrients can help you improve your red blood cell levels. Qazet.az presents these foods:

Iron

Eating an iron-rich diet can increase your body’s production of RBCs. Iron-rich foods include:

• red meat, such as beef
• organ meat, such as kidney and liver
• dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
• dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins
• beans
• legumes
• egg yolks

Folic acid

Adding certain B vitamins to your diet can also be beneficial. Foods high in vitamin B-9 (folic acid) include:

• enriched breads
• enriched cereals
• dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
• beans
• lentils
• peas
• nuts

Vitamin B-12

Foods high in vitamin B-12 include:

• red meat, such as beef
• fish
• dairy products, such as milk and cheese
• eggs

Copper

Copper intake doesn’t directly result in RBC production, but it can help your RBCs access the iron they need to replicate. Foods high in copper include:

• poultry
• shellfish
• liver
• beans
• cherries
• nuts

Vitamin A

Vitamin A (retinol) also supports RBC production in this manner. Foods rich in vitamin A include:

• dark, leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
• sweet potatoes
• squash
• carrots
• red peppers
• fruits, such as watermelon, grapefruit, and cantaloupe