Fruits that can heal wound faster. Here are some of the things you’d want to consider: Fruits are delicious and healthy, but did you know that they can also help with wounds and scars? They have healing properties, not to mention that they make your body feel better. Some of them also look quite nice and sweet. In this article I will tell you about the most powerful fruits and berries that can help you with various types of wounds and scars.
Fruits That Can Heal Wounds Faster
Along with the proper wound dressings, immune function plays an important role in the body’s ability to heal. Foods containing protein, vitamins A and C, as well as zinc, keep your immune system functioning and help promote wound healing.
If you’ve been recently injured or are having trouble healing, try adding the following foods to your diet:
.Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and C: Green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, and fruits like pineapple, cantaloupe, citrus fruits and juices, as well as tomato juice help heal.
.Yogurt: Especially Greek yogurt, is a good source of protein, which is essential to the development of healthy new tissue. If you are lactose intolerant, you can try soy and tofu based yogurts which will also add protein to your diet.
.Oats and barley: Grains like oats and barley contain protein and zinc, as well as beta-glucan, a fiber that has strong antioxidizing and antimicrobial properties.
If you have a wound that isn’t healing properly, please contact the
10 of the Best Foods to Help You Heal
Whether you’re recovering from an illness or surgery, the foods and beverages you consume can either help or hinder your recovery.
Many foods, including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein sources, have been shown to reduce inflammation, improve immune function, promote healing, and provide the fuel necessary for you to get on the mend.
Here are 10 healing foods that can help your body recover.
1. Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, and Swiss chard are packed with nutrients that decrease inflammation, enhance immune function, and improve wound healing, making them the perfect choice to promote recovery.
Leafy greens are high in vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, folate, and provitamin A, all of which are essential for immune function and overall health
They’re also rich in polyphenol antioxidants that have powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive properties
In fact, research shows that certain polyphenols, including the antioxidant quercetin, that are concentrated in green leafy veggies, may help suppress the production of inflammatory proteins like TNF-alpha
What’s more, vitamin C is essential for wound healing, making leafy greens a good choice when recuperating after surgery
2. Eggs
Following surgery, your body needs significantly more protein than the current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 0.36 grams per pound (0.8 grams per kg) of body weight.
The American Society for Enhanced Recovery recommends 0.7–0.9 grams of protein per pound (1.5–2 grams per kg) of body weight after surgery. That equals 105–135 grams for a 150-pound (68-kg) person.
Eggs are not only an excellent source of highly absorbable protein, providing 6 grams per large egg (50 grams), but also nutrients that support immune health and wound healing.
Whole eggs contain vitamins A and B12, as well as zinc, iron, and selenium, all of which play vital immune roles
3. Salmon
Salmon is packed with protein, B vitamins, selenium, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fats
What’s more, studies show that its omega-3 fats may promote wound healing, enhance immune response, and reduce inflammation when taken in supplement form
Plus, just 3 ounces (85 grams) of wild-caught salmon delivers over 70% of your daily needs for selenium, a mineral that regulates inflammation and immune response .
Although eating salmon is likely safe, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking fish oil supplements before or after surgery. Recent research indicates that these supplements don’t increase bleeding risk, but some surgeons advise against fish oil anyway.
4. Berries
Berries are brimming with nutrients and plant compounds that can help support your body’s recovery.
For instance, berries provide ample vitamin C, which promotes wound healing by stimulating the production of collagen — the most abundant protein in your body
They also pack antioxidants like anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that give berries their vibrant color, in addition to providing anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-supporting effects.
5. Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds like almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds are a great choice for fueling your body during the recovery process. These foods provide plant-based protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals that support healing.
For example, nuts and seeds are a good source of zinc, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in your body, protecting against cellular damage. It’s also critical for immune health
Some studies note that healthy vitamin E levels may improve the function of protective immune cells, such as natural killer cells (NK cells), which help fight infection and disease
these 9 superfoods that can help to heal your wounds faster
Wounds can leave major scars, if they don’t heal on time. Add these wound healing foods to your diet to heal faster.
Have you ever paid attention to the time it takes to heal your wounds? If not, then it’s high time you should, because it’ll help you find out how robust your immunity is. And just in case, if your wounds take longer than usual to heal, don’t worry. You can add some foods to your diet to accelerate wound healing.
Many foods such as vegetables, fruits, protein-rich sources, and healthy fats help in healing your wounds. That’s because they reduce inflammation, promote the production of white blood cells, improve the immune system, and provide the essential fuel for your body to recover.
Here’s a list of wound healing foods that you must include in your diet
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which help in faster healing of wounds. It also helps to relieve wound pain. You can have it with milk or can even apply it on your wound for better results.
2. Milk
Milk is rich in calcium, which is why it can accelerate the process of wound healing.
3. Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, hemp seeds, pecans and sunflower seeds help in the faster healing of wounds. Nuts and seeds provide plant-based proteins, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats that support healing. They are also rich in zinc, manganese, magnesium and vitamin E. They act as antioxidants and provide protection against cellular damage in the body.
4. Chicken broth
“Chicken broth is rich in several minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, etc. It is also rich in collagen, which is excellent for joint health. It helps in faster healing of wounds and makes our immune system strong,” suggests celebrity nutritionist, Manisha Chopra.
5. Berries
Berries are filled with nutrients and compounds that help the body to heal wounds faster than usual. They are rich in vitamin C, which aids in wound healing by stimulating the production of collagen. They also contain antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune- supporting properties.
6. Vegetables
Veggies provide a range of vitamins and minerals, which are essential to heal the body. They also contain carbohydrates, which give energy and prevent the muscles from breaking down. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and fibre, which helps to prevent constipation, which is a common side-effect of pain medication and reduced mobility. One can include veggies like cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, potatoes, cabbage and brussels sprouts to their diet for better healing of wounds.
7. Healthy fats
Not all fats are bad. Healthy fats are essential for your body, as they provide energy as well as vitamin E that helps in reducing the appearance of scars on your body. These fats also strengthen the immune system and decrease the chances of catching infection. Coconut oil, olive oil, seeds, nuts, and avocados are some examples of healthy fats.
Nutrition Tips to Promote Wound Healing
We’ve all had a wound: a cut, scratch or scrape that breaks the skin. Most wounds on healthy people heal quickly when kept clean and free of infection, while other types of wounds are more serious and require medical intervention.
Serious wounds may include decubitus ulcers, also known as pressure sores or bed sores. Decubitus ulcers develop where bones are close to the skin — such as ankles, back, elbows, heels and hips. These wounds are a risk for people who are bedridden, use a wheelchair or are unable to change their position. People with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing foot ulcers that can take weeks or months to heal.
Fortunately, healthful food choices may help with recovery by providing the calories, vitamins, minerals and protein necessary to promote healing.
Promote Wound Healing with Good Nutrition
- Plan healthy, balanced meals and snacks that include the right amount of foods from all the MyPlate food groups — protein foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains.
- Choose vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli or strawberries. For adequate zinc, choose fortified grains and protein foods, such as beef, chicken, seafood or beans. Some wounds may require a higher intake of certain vitamins and minerals to support healing. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
- Include adequate protein throughout the day. Include a source of protein at each meal or snack. A sample menu may include scrambled eggs for breakfast, black bean tacos for lunch, yogurt or cheese for a snack and chicken at dinner.
- Stay well-hydrated with water or other unsweetened beverages.
- For people with diabetes, control blood sugar levels to help prevent wounds from developing and to support healing and recovery.
10 Power Foods For Healing Wounds
When you have a wound such as a pressure injury (formally known as pressure ulcers or sores), diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, full or partial thickness wounds, burns and more, what you eat makes a major difference in the rate of your wound healing. There are various food items that can help speed up the healing process of wounds, whether they are severe or moderate. These food items and additional vitamins and minerals help to provide the necessary growth of new skin tissue and improve blood flow.
Note: It is important for those who have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to optimally control blood glucose levels if a wound is present. Poor wound healing and infection is often a result of uncontrolled diabetes. In an animal study conducted by a team of Japanese researchers and published in the Medical Archives Journal, it was discovered that Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat (with type 2 diabetes) showed a delayed wound healing as compared to the normal rats. However, once it was administered orally with sodium glucose, a glycemic control, its impaired wound healing showed signs of improvement.
Foods and Supplements for Wound Healing
The food items that can help cure your wounds faster include:
Turmeric
Turmeric is a well-known spice that is popularly used for the treatment of wounds. Curcumin, an antioxidant present in turmeric, helps in lowering inflammation and speeding up the healing process. Simply apply a paste of turmeric on the wound and wrap it with a cloth for speedy healing but before doing so, check with your healthcare provider to ensure this is safe. This is still a common practice in many parts of Asia.
Oral Nutrition Supplements
It is recommended to consider one’s current nutrition and mental state. For example, those who are elderly and have wounds might have more difficulty with healing and increasing their calorie and protein needs due to the decreased appetite that happens commonly with advanced aging. Dietitians recommend the consumption of high calorie, high protein shakes such as Boost, Ensure Enlive, Glucerna (for diabetics), Nepro (for those with kidney disease or on dialysis), or Kate Farms (for those with food allergies and intolerances). These shakes are convenient and an easy way of ensuring proper protein intake. There are many options to consider when selecting an oral nutrition supplement and these can be purchased at your local grocery or convenience store.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as milk and yogurt can aid in the healing process of wounds due to high concentrations of protein and zinc. However, science is yet to provide enough evidence to prove the role of proteins found in milk in terms of wound healing.
Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein (found in the egg white) and contain many vitamins in the yellow yolk. Their nutritive value is 80 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fat. They mostly contain vitamin A and D but also contain zinc and iron.
Meat
Meat has a significant amount of protein and zinc and therefore, it aids in speeding up the healing of wounds. Protein is great for maintaining tissue growth and building lean muscle mass. To determine how much protein you need for wound healing and how to get enough of it in your diet, consult a Registered Dietitian. Depending on the severity of the wound, protein needs will be increased compared to the average person without wounds.
Zinc
There is ample clinical evidence showing that zinc aids in the promotion of epithelialization of wounds. Foods that contain zinc include meat products (oysters and other seafood, beef, chicken, etc.), dairy products, whole wheat, and wheat germ, beans, lentils, and various nuts. It is also good to consider a multivitamin and mineral supplement if you are unable to include zinc containing foods in your diet due to food allergies or preferences.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds and the formation of scar tissue. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that is necessary for collagen formation in the skin. Therefore, people with wounds should eat ample amounts of amla, guava, lemon, orange, cranberry, strawberry, pineapple, kiwi fruit, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, spinach, cabbage, and other food items that contain vitamin C.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C, which are known to speed up wound healing.
Ghee
Ghee (made from cow’s milk), also known as clarified butter, is used extensively in Ayurveda for the healing of wounds. According to research published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, ghee aids in closing wounds and regenerating cells around the wounds, eventually speeding up the healing process.
Iron
A deficiency of iron, also known as anemia, may retard the process of wound healing. Oftentimes, iron tablets and foods containing iron are recommended to people after surgeries to guarantee improved wound healing. Some of these foods are leafy vegetables, lentils, and turkey. However, there is conflicting research that shows very few effects of anemia on wound healing.
Fluids
Finally, for any form of healing, it is necessary that you consume ample amounts of fluids. To be clear, we are not talking about coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. It is best to only consume adequate amounts of water. When you increase your protein intake, it can cause dehydration. Most people need 30 mL per kilogram of body weight or a minimum of 1,500 mL per day (1.5 liters). It is important to monitor for signs and symptoms of dehydration.
Increase Calories
It is recommended to increase the total amount of calories (30-35 calories per kilogram of body weight) while trying to heal a wound or multiple wounds. You also want to ensure that you’re still consuming an adequate amount of carbohydrates and fats in addition to the increased protein needs mentioned above.