Health & Life

5 Health Benefits of Blood Donation You Might Not Know

In this article, we will present you with some surprising benefits: donating blood not only brings benefits to the blood recipients but also benefits the blood donors themselves.

Administrator

21 February, 2024

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According to healthcare experts, here are 5 health benefits you can gain from blood donation:

1. The joy of saving lives

It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help doctors save other people’s lives. There’s nothing that can “perfectly replace” human blood.

The blood you donate will be divided into different parts according to the needs of each patient. Each part is used for different patients with different purposes.

Many newborn babies only need a very small amount of blood from blood donors to be saved. With each donation, you can save 3 or 4 patients. So, donate blood and become a hero.

2. Free health check-up

You can only donate blood when your body is healthy. Before each donation, you will have to go through a series of health checks, and these health checks are completely free. This is a benefit for you.

For example, you can know if there’s anything unusual about your blood pressure. This helps you detect dangerous health conditions that don’t cause pain before they escalate and manifest health issues.

Moreover, after blood donation, the blood and blood products you have donated will be tested for infectious diseases. You can request to be notified if anything abnormal is found during the testing process.

Therefore, regular blood donation is a form of free health check-up that helps you maintain better health.

3. Reduces the risk of heart disease

Regular blood donation helps control the iron levels in the body, especially in men. This reduces the risk of heart disease.

While iron is an essential factor for the body to function properly, excess iron can lead to an imbalance of oxidative stress. An imbalance of oxidative stress can be the culprit behind increased aging, heart muscle damage, and stroke.

4. Burns calories

Each blood donation burns about 650 Kcal. This helps you control your weight. However, the safest time to donate blood is around two or three months apart and not more frequently. The frequency also depends on the individual’s health condition, hemoglobin levels, and iron levels in the blood.

5. Reduces the risk of cancer

High iron levels can potentially lead to cancer. In theory, regular blood donation can reduce the risk of cancer. Although this theory is still being researched to find specific evidence, the notion that blood donation leads to cancer has been completely debunked.

Frequently asked questions

Donating blood has several health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, improving liver and pancreas health, and boosting mental health. It also helps burn calories and reduces the risk of hemochromatosis.

Donating blood regularly helps lower the levels of iron in the body, which can reduce the risk of cancer. High levels of iron have been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly liver cancer.

Blood donation is associated with improved mental health and a lower risk of depression. The act of donating blood releases feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin and endorphins, which can boost your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Yes, blood donation can slightly contribute to weight loss. Each donation can burn around 650 calories, and regular donations can help maintain a healthy weight.

The waiting period between donations varies for men and women. Men can typically donate every 3 months, while women can donate every 4 months, provided they meet other eligibility criteria such as weight and health conditions.