Everyone knows the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. But did you know that certain foods are particularly good for hormone balance?
Hormones are chemicals that are made in one part of your body and travel in the blood to other parts where they perform different functions. Hormonal balance is important for every woman, but especially during menopause when hormone levels decline and become unbalanced.
Some foods help balance hormones naturally by providing nutrients needed by the body to make them — like carbohydrates and protein — while others contain substances that mimic hormones or enhance their effects. Here are some of the best:
Blueberries – Blueberries are a great source of phytonutrients called anthocyanins, which improve blood flow to the brain, heart and digestive tract. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals, which damage cells in aging bodies. Studies show that blueberries can lower cholesterol levels and protect against cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. They also help improve memory function, according to research published in Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry.
Oysters – Oysters contain zinc, which is essential for healthy hormone production because it helps convert cholesterol into sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone (the female hormone).
How to Balance Your Hormones in a Week
1. Drink Water
2. Eat More Omega-3s
3. Get Enough Sleep
4. Exercise Regularly
5. Reduce Stress
6. Read More Books (Or Just Listen to Audiobooks)
7. Take a Walk
8. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
A healthy diet is the foundation for balancing hormones naturally.
Here are some of the best foods to help balance your hormones:
1. Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3s can help improve mood, reduce inflammation and boost metabolism. Fish such as wild salmon, tuna and sardines are high in omega-3s. Other sources include chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, beans and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
2. Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce symptoms of PMS such as breast tenderness and bloating in addition to easing menstrual cramps (1). It’s also been shown to possibly lower risk of heart disease by improving blood sugar control (2) (3). Try adding it to soups or curries or use it as a seasoning on meats or vegetables instead of salt when cooking!
3. Broccoli: Broccoli is rich in antioxidants known as indoles that may play a role in helping prevent certain types of cancers (4). Broccoli can also help lower cholesterol levels by breaking down bile acids which can collect in the gallbladder leading to gallstones (5).
How to Balance Your Hormones and Moods
If you’re having trouble balancing your hormones and moods, it’s not just in your head. Hormonal imbalances can cause low energy, mood swings, depression, anxiety — even weight gain. The good news is that there are many natural ways to balance hormones naturally and feel better fast.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are messengers that tell your body when to do something. They’re made in the endocrine system (the glands that produce hormones). Your endocrine system includes the pituitary gland (which produces growth hormone); the hypothalamus (which controls hunger); thyroid gland; parathyroid glands; adrenal glands; ovaries or testes (depending on whether you’re male or female).
Hormonal imbalances can cause low energy, mood swings, depression, anxiety — even weight gain.
To balance your hormones, you need to eat a balanced diet. Here are some foods that can help:
Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are found in fish, seeds (flaxseed), nuts, and other foods. They have been shown to help with PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps. They also help reduce inflammation in the body.
Chia seeds. These tiny seeds are high in fiber and protein, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for unhealthy snacks. They also contain calcium and magnesium, which are both important for hormone balance.
Dark chocolate. Chocolate contains caffeine and antioxidants called flavonols, which help reduce inflammation in the body and fight off disease-causing free radicals (substances that damage your cells). Dark chocolate may also lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain — two factors that can reduce PMS symptoms like headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression or anxiety. It’s best to get most of your chocolate from dark chocolate since it has more health benefits than milk chocolate or other types of chocolate candy bars or ice cream treats.
Your hormones are the messengers that deliver messages to different parts of the body. If your hormones are out of balance, you may feel tired and depressed, have trouble sleeping, and experience mood swings.
You can balance your hormones naturally by eating a healthy diet and doing some at-home exercises. Here are 10 fruits that can help you balance your hormones and feel better:
1. Apples
2. Oranges
3. Grapefruit
4. Berries
5. Bananas
6. Peaches
7. Pears
8. Grapes
9. Apricots
10. Pineapple