Type O blood is at risk for blood clots, especially on fights in airplanes. The juice of 5 lemons equaled a pharmacologic dose of anti-coagulants.
New
research into deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the so-called 'economy class
syndrome', has found that lemon juice significantly reduces the
likelihood of clots forming during long haul flights.
Japanese
researchers who were examining the blood thinning properties of lemons
discovered that blood circulates nearly 20% faster at altitude after the
juice of a large lemon has been consumed.
The researchers, from
Tokai Gakuen University in Nagoya, revealed their findings at a meeting
of the Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology. They gave
volunteers on long haul flights a drink containing lemon juice. The
blood in the volunteers' veins moved 19% faster than that of others on
the same flight, thereby reducing the likelihood of potentially fatal
clots forming in their systems.
The scientists believe that the
effect is due to two ingredients contained in lemon juice - citric acid
and lemon polyphenol. They are now recommending that passengers on long
haul flights have a lemon drink every five hours to obtain the juice's
protective effect.
Grape juice may also be effective, although orange and grapefruit juice apparently are not.
