Did you know that partial pressure measures the body's oxygen content? The widespread consensus is that only atmospheric conditions affect the body's oxygen levels. However, this is completely true. Oxygen rich foods can play a vital role in increasing oxygen concentration in the body. A balanced diet usually incorporates adequate oxygen in the body. Every kind of life on Earth needs oxygen to survive.
As we know, Humans can live for a few days without eating or drinking but can't survive without oxygen. And because of this, it's important to consume meals that help increase our body's oxygen level.
Oxygen-rich foods enhance the body's ability to absorb oxygen and boost the gas concentration in the body. Many bodily functions depend on adequate oxygen synthesis; certain foods can go a long way in making this happen. Let us look at these foods and understand why oxygen is vital for the body.
How does Oxygen Help the Body?
The body's capacity to generate enough energy depends on oxygen availability. Other than respiration, oxygen is required by the body to produce energy and fuel every activity. Without adequate amounts of oxygen, our brain and heart would not be able to work properly.
Here are some of the functions oxygen serves in the body:
1. Helps Maintain Energy
You'll feel energised and active when your body is receiving enough oxygen. People sometimes feel tired and exhausted when their oxygen levels are low. You'll feel more energetic and productive throughout the day if you eat foods high in oxygen. Helps in metabolic synthesis.
For the organism to maintain its metabolic activity, oxygen is required. Oxygen breaks down glucose in the body's cells to release energy and aid in numerous bodily processes vital for survival. Due to the absence of oxygen, our body starts producing lactic acid, which causes major muscle cramps.
2. Helps in Nutrient Absorption
Improved oxygen supply increases the body's ability to absorb various nutrients, minerals, proteins, amino acids, and so on from different sources. Moreover, oxygen strengthens the body's immune system by detoxifying the blood. Oxygen rich foods can be eaten to improve the body's nutrient absorption rate.
3. Helps in Brain Function
The brain does not function as well as it should without enough oxygen. Oxygen is required by the brain for almost all its functions, and the brain also uses up to one-fifth of the body's total oxygen supply. A steady oxygen supply will strengthen brain cells and improve memory, concentration, and logical thinking skills over time. Without a good oxygen supply, the brain cells can ultimately die.
4. Helps in Maintaining the Heart Rate
Oxygen is ultimately required for the heart to function effectively as well. A good supply of oxygen will bring down the resting heart rate and increase blood oxygenation. Most cardiac arrests and other heart events happen when the heart does not receive adequate oxygen and the heart muscles start contracting.
What are Some Oxygen Rich foods?
After learning about the function of oxygen in the body, let's move forward to the list of amazing foods that elevates your body's oxygen levels. In this, we cover fruits rich in oxygen, vegetables rich in oxygen, and numerous other foods that contain compounds that increase oxygen concentration in the body.
1. Lemon
Lemons are a great source of vitamins as they are high in citric acid, which helps in the formation of oxygen carriers based on haemoglobin. It is also among the best vitamins to increase oxygen in the blood. Even though lemons are acidic, they turn alkaline due to the biochemical reactions that happen upon consumption. Lemons are also believed to help the liver to cleanse itself and get rid of waste and other impurities. One of the best ways to have enough lemon in your diet is frequently drinking lukewarm lemon water. This will not only increase your body's oxygen levels, but it will also improve your overall health.
2. Avocado
Here are 4 supplements you can take which also increase oxygen- Vitamin A, B3, B6, and B12. Or you could find all of them in a single fruit- avocado. We cannot talk about oxygen rich foods without mentioning avocados. Also high in fibre, choline, PUFA, and folate are avocados. All of these aid in increasing the blood's ability to absorb oxygen and eventually increase oxygen levels. Further health advantages of avocados include maintaining heart health, helping with weight control, and many more.
3. Beetroot
Beetroot is a wonderful source of many nutrients that can help the body function effectively. These help in developing nitrates in the body. Beetroot also helps in oxygen absorption in the body and, thus, improves oxygenation throughout the body. You must be wondering why oxygen rich foods also contain a lot of other nutrients. This is because the combined action of all these nutrients helps in increasing the oxygenation of the blood.
4. Carrot
Carrots are essential for the body's detoxification process and for enhancing the delivery of oxygen to all body regions. The finest vitamins for boosting blood oxygen levels include vitamins A, C, B3, B5, and B6, which are abundant in carrots. Carrots also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in various other bodily functions. Carrots can be consumed raw in salads or can be consumed in the form of juice.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most therapeutic spices available in the world; it has many medicinal properties and is excellent for maintaining the body's health. Turmeric also increases nitric oxide levels in the body, which is essential for widening blood vessels. This directly contributes to increased oxygenation of the blood. This leads to better blood flow to the whole body. Turmeric is one of the oxygen rich foods since it allows all parts of the body to reap the benefits of increased oxygenation. Consuming turmeric also keeps infections and pathogens away.
6. Organ Meat
Organ meats such as liver, heart, and brain are very nutritious. They are abundant in heme iron, which can raise haemoglobin levels in the human body, as well as a variety of vitamins, proteins, minerals, and good fats. So this helps to raise the body's oxygen levels. However, organ meat is not advised for those with heart conditions like excessive cholesterol. These can be fatty and should be consumed only sparingly. Instead of organ meat, beetroots can be substituted as a healthy alternative since it is also among the most oxygen rich foods.
Conclusion
Other than all the foods we have mentioned, making lifestyle changes will also improve oxygenation in the body. Breathing exercises and yoga are very important in this aspect since they increase our lung capacity and improve blood oxygenation. Foods that are rich in antioxidants play a vital role in enhancing the oxygen levels in the body. These oxygen rich foods should be a part of an everyday diet to get the best benefits.