If you are someone who suffers from easy bruising, you’ll discover that you will want to clarify what conditions might make the bruising worse, and this becomes the time when alcohol intake should be brought into the discussion.  Many people who have a tendency to bruise easily end up with the suspicion that alcohol use could be a factor, and they would learn that their feelings were right.  When you are seeking to find the causes behind bruises that can be gotten from simply bumping against a countertop, or that you can get without any recollection of the source at all, you should determine that it’s the right time to examine your alcohol consumption.

To begin with, question yourself about how alcohol intake can affect your bruising.  The first thing to do is to think about what amounts to a bruise.  A bruise is basically caused by the rupturing of capillaries just under your skin.  As the blood leaks out, it forms pools or clots beneath the skin, causing the bright and vivid colors that are the visible proof of the bruise.  While a main source of bruising is having thin capillary walls, this is really not the area where alcohol is involved.  Instead, alcohol acts to thin the blood.  Just as aspirin and some other forms of prescription medication do, alcohol thins your blood, which can then negatively impact clotting so that you bleed more freely.

The place where this thinner blood intersects with bruising is due to the fact that when you bump yourself and break some of your capillaries, even if you are not aware of it, alcohol slows your body’s ability to keep the blood from flowing so freely.  When there is alcohol in your system, your body’s ability to staunch the blood flow is going to be impaired, and this can make what would have been a light bruise look much more dramatic.  When you want to make sure that your bruises do not look quite so dark, or so dramatic, you should seriously consider cutting back on your alcohol intake. 

If you are worried about the effects of alcohol or other blood thinners on your susceptibility to bruising, you’ll discover that the answer is increasing your iron intake, which is essential for good blood production in your body.  It can help you with faster blood clotting, and it will contribute towards your immune system by helping to keep it strong.  Foods that are rich in iron include liver as well as dark green and leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach (whats the old saying about if it tastes good, it cant be good for you?).

Use some time to really study what the connection between your alcohol consumption and easy bruising could be for you.  This may require that you simply cut back a little on the quantity of alcohol that you drink, or it could mean a real change to your drinking habits.

About the author: 

Carolyn Cooper is recognized as a well known expert on bruising causes through a combination of her educational experience in nutrition and her real life expertise with nutritional supplements for athletes, ranging from children to the professional ranks. You can get a free Special Report on bruising causes and see what she’s done to get you beyond the nightmares of easy bruising and help you prevent bruising altogether.