Can donating blood be beneficial for both the recipient and the donor? Research suggests that donating blood may be healthy in a number of ways.

Study Summary

A landmark study found that regularly donating blood may decrease blood levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFA’S), toxic chemicals found in various household objects, by as much as 30%. PFA’s are linked to adverse health effects, such as obesity, thyroid abnormalities and poor immune functions. Whether this translates into clinically significant health benefits needs further investigation!

Another study found that 24 hours after donating blood, participants had lower levels of markers of inflammation and higher levels of antioxidant enzymes – likely reducing oxidative stress (aging on the cellular level).

The Hearty Take

If you regularly donate blood, it turns out that it may be healthy for you! At Hearty, we suggest that you use this for motivation to help others. We believe that blood donations are likely beneficial for not only the recipient, but also the donor. However, we also acknowledge that there is a need for more studies to confirm these benefits.