In fact, donating blood has many more benefits than knowing that you’re helping save someone’s life.
It improves your heart health
Although it may seem that donating blood would put your body under more pressure to produce more blood, it actually helps your heart become healthier. Donating blood reduces the amount of iron in your body, which minimises the risk of heart attacks. According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, regular blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
It can lower the risk of cancer
These iron reductions in your body due to blood donations have also been found to reduce cancer risks. The National Cancer Institute of Canada has found that regular blood donating can decrease the risk of numerous cancers including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. So not only does donating blood keep your heart healthy, it also aids in keeping many of your vital organs healthy too.
It stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Whether or not you donate blood, your body is constantly replenishing its blood supply. In fact, within 24 hours, your blood supply is back to normal. Red blood cells usually take 4-8 weeks to completely replace. But don’t freak out about this- stimulating the production of red blood cells actually makes your body stay healthy, function more efficiently and work productively.
It burns off kilojoules, a lot of it
Want to burn over 2700 kilojoules in an hour? The University of California in San Diego have estimated that one blood donation burns up to 650 calories, or 2700 kilojoules. That’s the equivalent of running for an hour and 40 minutes! Although donating blood shouldn’t be used to loose weight, sitting down and saving three lives beats spending over an hour in the gym!
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service , Frequently Asked Questions, n.d, http://www.donateblood.com.au/faq
Lifehack, 8 Benefits of Donating Blood, 2013, http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/8-benefits-donating-blood-that-you-may-not-know-about.html
Medindia, Blood donation health benefits, and side effects, http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/blood-donation-health-benefits-and-side-effects.htm