Here’s Why You Must Start Donating Blood Today (Proven by Science)

Every one of us has come across Blood donation drives at least once in our life. There might be camps set up in school, hospitals or even in the workplace. Television commercials and radio broadcasts encourage us to donate blood so that someone’s life can be saved.

A single blood donation could help up to three patients. We hear about the benefits of donating blood accrued to the patients but we do not get to hear the advantages that are caused to the donor.

Many people are apprehensive of donating blood because they think they might become weak or happen to catch some form of sickness. You might be surprised to know that there are various health benefits caused by blood donation proven by science.

Maybe you have donated blood and are wondering about these benefits. Here are some of those:

1. Revealing potential health problems

Donating blood can be another way to check of your cardiovascular health. You’ll receive a physical examination prior to the blood draw, in which someone will check your pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, hemoglobin etc. This can shed light on possible heart problems you didn’t even know about.

For example, if your blood is low on iron then the clinic will not draw your blood. They will also inform you about other problems regarding your health.

2. Reduces harmful iron stores

According to Jan Patenaude, dietician and certified LEAP therapist, one in every two hundred people in the U.S. is affected by a condition called hemochromatosis. It is a disease that causes an iron overload and is known as the most common genetic disease among Caucasians by the Mayo Clinic. Most people don’t even know about it. By donating blood you can help in reducing extra iron stored in your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the removal of red blood cells is the preferred treatment for patients with excess iron in their blood.

3. Reduces the risk of heart attack

According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology, donating blood at least once a year could reduce the risk of a heart attack by 88 percent. High levels of iron in your blood can constrict the blood vessels, thereby increasing the chances of heart attack. Blood donation will help in the reduction of iron levels in your blood.

4. Reduces the risk of cancer development

An increased iron level in the blood is also related to the risk of developing cancer. According to a study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Phlebotomy was found to be an iron reduction method that is associated with lower cancer risk and mortality. Those who donated blood regularly had a lower chance of developing cancer.

5. Makes you feel significant

The various physical benefits have been mentioned above but there is also a psychological benefit of donating blood. Your blood will help someone out there who need it most. This will give you a sense of satisfaction.

You know you are helping or going to help someone in need which is also a very significant benefit of donating blood.

Now that you are aware of the various benefits of donating blood, why don’t you go and save some lives?