Why Do You Get Apple Juice After Giving Blood?

Apple juice is a healthy snack option for those who donate blood.

Donating blood gives the public a chance to help out those who are in need of blood transfusions. If you participate in a blood drive, you are likely to find juice and/or cookies offered soon after the donating is done. This is to make sure that the donor's blood sugar levels remain at a safe level.

Purpose

Apple juice, like other fruit juices, has a high content of fructose. This means that over time, apple juice can help to raise a minor dip in your blood sugar level, which can happen after donating blood.

Alternatives

Instead of apple juice, donors are sometimes given cookies or carbonated soft drinks soon after they give blood. Although a small serving of these confections can help to raise blood sugar levels, a cup of fruit juice is the healthier option. Those that contain iron, such as prune juice, are even better.

Speculations

Donors often suspect that a light snack following the donation, such as apple juice, helps as an energy boost. However, the body's energy levels are neither affected nor depleted as a result of donating blood.

References

• Prathama Blood Center: Types of Blood Donations
• Self: What to Eat Before and After Donating Blood
• Diabetes Net: Great Tips on How to Prevent and Treat Low Blood Sugars