Nutrition and Diet: What to eat to bring platelets down?

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

For those dealing with thrombocytosis, or a high platelet count, dietary management is a supportive tool alongside medical treatment. This guide explores what to eat to bring platelets down through focused nutritional choices that can help manage platelet aggregation and promote overall cardiovascular health.

Quick Summary

Manage high platelets with dietary adjustments by incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3-rich fish, garlic, and turmeric. Focus on salicylate-rich fruits and vegetables, while limiting alcohol, processed foods, and high saturated fats.

Key Points

Embrace Omega-3s: Incorporate fatty fish like salmon and plant-based sources like flaxseed and walnuts to help reduce platelet activation and inflammation.
Enjoy Salicylate-Rich Foods: Berries, grapes, and specific vegetables contain natural compounds that can help thin the blood and prevent clotting.
Use Anti-Platelet Herbs: Season your food with garlic, ginger, and turmeric, all of which contain active compounds with anti-platelet properties.
Avoid Alcohol and Processed Items: Limit or avoid excessive alcohol, processed foods, and refined sugars, which can trigger inflammation and negatively impact blood health.
Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is critical for maintaining blood viscosity and promoting healthy circulation.
Consult a Professional: Always seek medical advice from a doctor or dietitian before implementing significant dietary changes for thrombocytosis.

Understanding Thrombocytosis and Dietary Management

Thrombocytosis is a condition characterized by an elevated number of platelets in the blood. While platelets are crucial for blood clotting, an excess can increase the risk of dangerous clots, potentially leading to a heart attack, stroke, or other serious health issues. It is vital to note that diet is a complementary approach and should not replace advice and treatment from a medical professional, as the cause of high platelets must be properly diagnosed and addressed. However, certain foods contain natural compounds with anti-platelet properties that can support your body's management of platelet activity.

Dietary management focuses on two primary goals: incorporating foods with anti-platelet or anti-inflammatory properties and limiting substances that can negatively impact blood health. The goal is to promote smoother blood flow and reduce excessive platelet clumping, known as aggregation.

Foods to Include in Your Diet

Anti-Inflammatory and Omega-3 Rich Foods

Chronic inflammation can contribute to elevated platelet levels, so incorporating anti-inflammatory foods is a key strategy. Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their anti-inflammatory effects and their ability to help reduce platelet activation.

Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring are excellent sources of omega-3s. Aim for two to three servings per week to increase your intake naturally.
Flaxseeds and Walnuts: These are plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, making them great additions to salads, oatmeal, or smoothies.
Turmeric (Curcumin): The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties that can reduce platelet aggregation.
Ginger: Ginger contains compounds like gingerol and paradol which have shown anti-platelet aggregation effects. It can be consumed raw, in tea, or as a supplement under medical guidance.

Salicylate-Rich Foods

Salicylates are natural compounds found in many plants that act as blood thinners and can help prevent clotting.

Berries: All types of berries, including blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries, contain salicylates and flavonoids with anti-platelet properties.
Grapes (Especially Red/Purple) and Raisins: The flavonoids in red grapes and grape juice, particularly resveratrol, can inhibit platelet aggregation.
Certain Vegetables: Vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, and some mushrooms contain salicylates.

Allium Vegetables and Herbs

Garlic and onions contain allicin and other organosulfur compounds that have demonstrated anti-platelet activity. Consuming raw garlic is often suggested, as cooking can reduce the allicin content. Incorporating it into sauces, dressings, and dips can be an easy way to increase intake.

Other Beneficial Items

Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants, green tea is thought to help prevent platelet aggregation and improve overall heart health.
Dark Chocolate: Contains flavonoids that can help inhibit platelet production.
Certain Cucurbit Vegetables: Research indicates certain squashes and pumpkins may have anti-platelet effects, with yellow pattypan squash showing promising results in studies.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

To manage high platelets, it's equally important to limit foods and substances that promote inflammation or can otherwise negatively affect platelet production.

Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the bone marrow and lower platelet production, but a high intake is a concern. The appropriate level, if any, should be discussed with a doctor, especially for those on medication.
Processed Foods and Refined Grains: These foods can trigger inflammation in the body, which is linked to elevated platelet counts. Reducing items like white flour, white rice, and sugary snacks is recommended.
Foods High in Saturated and Trans Fats: Limiting deep-fried foods and hydrogenated fats is important for heart health and reducing overall inflammation.
Certain Supplements and Herbal Remedies: While some herbs like ginkgo biloba and ginseng are sometimes mentioned, they are potent and can interfere with medication or cause bleeding. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplement.

Dietary Options for High Platelets: A Comparison


Food Type	Include	Limit / Avoid
Protein Sources	Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), lean poultry, beans	Fatty and processed red meats
Fats & Oils	Omega-3 rich sources (flaxseed, walnuts), olive oil	Trans and saturated fats (deep-fried foods)
Fruits	Berries, grapes, cherries, pomegranate	Excessive fruit juice (high in sugar)
Vegetables	Cucumbers, radishes, mushrooms, pumpkin	N/A
Herbs & Spices	Garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon	High doses of concentrated herbal supplements without medical advice
Beverages	Water, green tea	Alcohol, tonic water (quinine), excessive caffeine
Other	Dark chocolate (in moderation)	Refined sugar, processed snacks

Sample Day Menu

Breakfast: Oatmeal topped with walnuts, mixed berries, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and ground flaxseed. Enjoy with a cup of green tea.
Lunch: A large spinach salad with grilled salmon, cucumber, and a light olive oil dressing. A slice of whole-grain bread on the side.
Dinner: Baked mackerel with roasted asparagus and yellow pattypan squash seasoned with garlic and turmeric.
Snacks: A small handful of almonds, a bowl of mixed berries, or a square of dark chocolate.

Beyond Diet: Other Lifestyle Considerations

Diet is just one component of managing high platelet levels. Other lifestyle factors also play a crucial role.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining proper blood viscosity and smooth blood flow, which can help manage platelet levels.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress has been linked to elevated platelet counts. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can be beneficial.
Regular Exercise: Consistent physical activity improves blood circulation and helps reduce inflammation. Aim for moderate activities like walking or swimming, while considering any concerns with your doctor.

Conclusion

While a high platelet count requires medical supervision, dietary and lifestyle choices can offer a valuable supportive strategy. By focusing on a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3s, salicylates, and antioxidant-rich herbs, individuals can help manage platelet aggregation and promote better cardiovascular health. Limiting alcohol, processed foods, and unhealthy fats is also crucial. As every individual's needs differ, it is essential to consult with a doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure it complements your medical treatment plan effectively.

For more comprehensive information on diet and platelet disorders, consult the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, diet alone cannot cure a high platelet count. It is a supportive measure that can help manage platelet activity. Any diagnosis of thrombocytosis requires medical supervision and treatment from a healthcare professional.

Chronic inflammation can contribute to an elevated platelet count. Many of the anti-platelet foods, such as those rich in omega-3s and antioxidants, are also effective anti-inflammatories, helping to address this underlying issue.

While some studies mention supplements like omega-3s, turmeric, and ginkgo biloba, you must consult your doctor before starting any supplement, as they can interfere with other medications or have side effects. For example, concentrated ginkgo and ginseng can thin the blood and are often advised against.

While there isn't a universally recommended dose, incorporating raw, crushed garlic into your diet regularly can be beneficial. It's often most potent when raw, as cooking can decrease some of its active compounds.

It is advised to limit or avoid excessive alcohol intake, as it can damage bone marrow and reduce platelet production. Tonic water, which contains quinine, has also been linked to lower platelets.

Yes, some studies indicate that dark chocolate contains flavonoids that can help inhibit platelet production. It is recommended to consume it in moderation as a supporting part of a balanced diet.

Yes, adequate hydration is a simple yet effective strategy. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain proper blood viscosity and circulation, which can be beneficial for managing platelet levels.