Every winter, especially from December to February of the following year, is the cyclical off-season for voluntary blood donation in our country. There will be a critical period of clinical blood shortage, and various regions will launch "winter emergency blood donation" or collective blood donation activities of state organs and institutions. After donating blood, the body will initiate "intelligent recovery". For healthy adults who meet the conditions for blood donation, after donating blood, the body will initiate "intelligent recovery", which is a scientific, safe, and reversible process. The total amount of blood in the human body accounts for about 7% to 8% of body weight, and donating 200 to 400 milliliters of blood only accounts for 5% to 10% of the total amount of blood. The lost blood will be quickly replenished through the blood stored in organs such as the liver and spleen, and the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow will also accelerate the generation of new blood cells. The body has a sophisticated regulatory system to cope with small amounts of blood loss. The recovery of various components has its own fast and orderly timeline. The fastest recovery of plasma volume: The body quickly replenishes water through tissue fluid, and blood volume can be basically restored within 1-2 hours after blood donation. Platelets and white blood cells have a moderate recovery rate: they can return to normal levels within a few days (about 24-72 hours) after blood donation. Red blood cells and hemoglobin are relatively slow to recover: the bone marrow immediately receives a signal to produce red blood cells, accelerating hematopoiesis. The iron element in the body will be mobilized to synthesize new hemoglobin. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for the red blood cell count to fully recover to the level before blood donation. Regular and moderate blood donation may enhance hematopoietic function and keep the bone marrow hematopoietic system active, which is beneficial for health. What other promoting effects may regular and moderate blood donation have on physical health? Regular and moderate blood donation can reduce blood viscosity and assist in maintaining cardiovascular health. Combining a healthy lifestyle and diet can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Studies have shown that it may reduce the risk of some cancers associated with iron overload. Some people may experience temporary fatigue after donating blood, which is caused by temporary changes in blood volume. Timely hydration and sugar supplementation can alleviate this, and the body will quickly adjust without significant impact. Blood donation and diet are misconceptions. Some folk beliefs about blood donation are incorrect. Let's debunk them together. Misconception 1: Drink plenty of water on an empty stomach before donating blood. Hou Ruiqin, Director of the Blood Transfusion Department at Peking University People's Hospital, said: Before donating blood, it is important to have a light diet and avoid fasting. This will facilitate the smooth process of blood donation and also prevent eating too greasy food. Before donating blood, you can replenish some water. It is unnecessary to deliberately drink water. Misconception 2: After donating blood, there is no need for special supplementation. The focus of diet is to provide the "raw materials" needed for hematopoiesis. High quality "blood nourishing" ingredients: including iron rich red meat (beef, pork), spinach, black fungus, etc. Eggs, milk, soy products, etc. that are rich in protein. Oranges and broccoli rich in vitamin C can significantly promote the absorption of plant-based iron. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are also essential coenzymes for hematopoiesis, found in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and other foods. Within a few days after donating blood, it is not advisable to eat too much greasy food to avoid affecting blood quality, such as chyle blood, and the body's recovery. Is the answer to the three consecutive questions about blood donation correct? Apart from clarifying misconceptions, there are also three consecutive questions about blood donation: Can I take a shower after donating blood? Can I exercise after donating blood? Can I drink alcohol after donating blood? Listen to the expert's answer. Can I take a shower after donating blood? You can take a shower normally, but before the needle hole fully heals, it needs to be kept clean and dry. Wang Hongjie, Deputy Director of the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center: It is necessary to pay attention to protecting the "needle eye" or puncture point, press the puncture point well, and avoid subcutaneous bleeding, which can lead to hematoma. This is also the type of adverse reaction that occurs most frequently and accounts for the highest proportion after blood donation. Can I exercise after donating blood? Wang Hongjie introduced that after donating blood, do not engage in high-risk work such as driving and high-altitude operations. Avoid physical activities such as hiking and soccer, and pay attention to rest more. Can I drink alcohol after donating blood? During the recovery period, alcohol consumption should be avoided. Because alcohol is mainly metabolized in the liver, and the body's blood supply also urgently needs the liver's hematopoietic function, drinking alcohol at this time may affect the normal functioning of the liver, delay the process of blood recovery, and potentially cause harm to the body. (New Society)