Donating blood is a generous way to help people with serious medical issues or to save a life. Anyone who is fit and fine can donate blood irrespective of men or women. If anyone is having any serious medical health issues, do consult the doctor before doing any such attempts. It may have some side effects but that will last for a short period. Eating and drinking the right things can help avoid such side effects and risks.

Facts about blood donation

• Every year our nation requires about 5 Crore units of blood, out of which only a meagre 2.5 Crore units of blood are available.
• Blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come from volunteer donors.
• Every two seconds someone needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year.
• Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

Things to do before donating blood

• A blood donor must have 12.5 grams of haemoglobin per decilitre (125 grams per litre) to donate blood.
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as they provide antioxidants, which are good for your health in general including your blood health too. So, eat a well-balanced diet.  
• Eating iron-rich foods like fish, eggs, and poultry is also important. The body uses iron to make blood. Not having sufficient iron in the body after donating blood can cause anemia. Hence, it is good to eat iron-rich foods or iron tablets before donating. 
• Water is an essential ingredient in our blood. The American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounces, or 2 cups, of water before donating blood. It also recommends avoiding heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for at least the rest of the day after donating blood.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person should avoid playing sports or taking part in strenuous activity for 48 hours.

Things to avoid before donating blood

• Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages lead to dehydration. Try to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before giving blood.
• Fatty foods - Foods high in fat, such as cakes, doughnuts, and fries, can affect the tests that are run on your blood. So do avoid these fast foods or fried or oily things before donating blood.
• Iron blockers – Tea, coffee, chocolates, and high calcium foods can reduce iron absorption. Thus, it is better to avoid them.

(Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.)