Hormones play a vital role in day-to-day body functions. They handle everything from eating to sleeping to reproduction. Thus, hormone imbalance can lead to serious health issues and affect your quality of life. Females are more likely to suffer from hormone imbalance, especially during puberty and menopause. There are foods for female hormone balance that can solve your hormone issues.
So, let’s look at the best foods for hormone imbalance.
Table of Contents
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are molecules in our body responsible for regulating physiology and behavior. They are essential for the development and well-being of human beings.
An important hormone in the human body is insulin. It enables the body to process glucose and then use it in the bloodstream. Another important hormone in females is estrogen. It manages female sexual characteristics and reproduction.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
An adequate supply of hormones is essential for the growth and development of humans. If the amount of a certain hormone is too much or too little in the body, it can cause serious effects.
For example, high insulin levels in the body can lead to various issues. These include:
- Intensive hunger
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety/panic
- Lack of focus/motivation
In contrast, low insulin levels can lead to high blood sugar levels, frequent urination, and itchy skin.
High levels of thyroid hormones can cause:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Dry skin
- Puffy face
- Muscle weakness
- Constipation
In contrast, high thyroid levels can lead to:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness.
Foods for Female Hormone Balance
Hormonal imbalance can lead to serious complications in females. , You can manage hormone imbalance by making some changes to your diet. Several foods help you combat hormonal imbalance, including:
Avocado
Regarded as the magic fruit by many, avocado has a lot of health benefits. It’s rich in fiber and healthy fats, and it can also help manage estrogen and testosterone levels. It helps reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone levels.
Besides, avocados are good for your heart. But avocados are high in calories and fats, so be sure to eat them in moderation. Consuming one-fourth of avocado a day is enough.
Almonds
Another magic fruit on the list, almonds, has the reputation of boosting brain activity. They’re rich in vitamin E, which helps preserve and boost memory.
Apart from their benefits for the brain, almonds can help in regulating blood sugar levels. Hence, regular consumption of almonds can reduce the risk of type II diabetes. And if you are suffering from diabetes, almonds can help you manage the condition better.
Apples
Who doesn’t love apples? They’re delicious, and everyone from kids to adults loves them. But you shouldn’t eat apples because of their taste. Apples are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
For hormone imbalance, apples are a rich source of vitamin C, which speeds up the production of progesterone. Progesterone is a sex hormone in females that affects the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and fertilization.
Apples help reduce the risk of cancer and increase immunity to help keep infections away.
Foods for Female Hormone Balance: Broccoli
Whenever there’s a discussion about healthy foods, broccoli will always be present. Research proves that broccoli plays a vital role in hormone balance. It facilitates the breaking down of estrogen, one of the two main female sex hormones. Broccoli is also rich in sulforaphane, a chemical containing anti-cancer properties. Some other benefits of broccoli include liver detoxification and improved muscle functionality.
Eggs
Eggs lower the levels of food hormones insulin and ghrelin and increase PYY (88-91). They’re also rich in choline, which boosts the production of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) in your body. It improves nervous system function. Eggs are a great source of omega-three fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and promote brain health.
Green Tea
Also known as a metabolism booster, green tea has various health benefits. It reduces the production and release of cortisol, a stress hormone. It is also rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
Some other benefits of green tea are:
- Improves brain function
- Facilitates fat burning
- Reduces bad breath
- Prevents type 2 diabetes
- Prevents the brain from aging
Foods for Female Hormone Balance: Flaxseed
Flaxseed is another magic food that can do wonders for your body and health. It improves estrogen levels and the hormone metabolism in the body.
Other benefits of flaxseed are:
- Reduces hot flashes
- Reduces vaginal dryness
Thus, it results in better life quality in menopausal and post-menopausal women.
Flaxseeds are also rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. They comprise essential fatty acids, and thus, you must include them in your diet.
Pumpkin Seeds
Like flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds regulate estrogen levels. They are also a great source of magnesium, which works with vitamin B5 and vitamin C to lower stress levels. Stress depletes magnesium levels. Hence, people who take a lot of stress should consume pumpkin seeds.
Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in potassium, which helps balance the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland releases growth hormones. They’re responsible for the growth and development of the body. Blueberries also have high antioxidant activity and help fight inflammation. They also help prevent urinary tract infections and improve vision.
Foods for Female Hormone Balance You Should Avoid
Now that we have discussed the foods you should eat to promote hormone balance, let’s look at some foods that can have an adverse effect on your hormones. These include:
- Soy products: They contain phytoestrogen, which acts like estrogen and affects the menstrual cycle.
- Red meat: It contains unhealthy fats and increases the production of estrogen.
- Dairy products: They can trigger inflammation and lead to hormonal imbalance and gut problems.
- Processed foods: Processed foods affect your adrenal gland and insulin production.
- Caffeine: Caffeine increases cortisol levels in your body, making you more stressed and anxious.
- Some vegetables: Vegetables like kale and cauliflower can mess with your thyroid gland.
Conclusion: Foods for Female Hormone Balance
Many females suffer from hormone-related disorders. And they often end up taking supplements throughout their lives. The foods mentioned above can act as your natural food supplement. You can use them to achieve the right hormone balance. But if you are suffering from any underlying condition, consult your doctor before using these foods.
