These foods can regulate our hormones

hormonal balance
8 foods that can regulate our hormones

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When our hormone levels are out of whack, it can negatively impact our physical and mental health. The good news: Some foods can regulate hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers that are immensely important for our health. The hormonal balance must be in balance for all processes in our body to function smoothly. And changes in hormone levels also have a major impact on our mood – an example that most women are familiar with: periods and especially PMS.

But the hormonal balance also changes at other times in life and can get confused at times. In addition to the monthly cycle, this includes puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Hormonal contraceptive methods such as the birth control pill – and also stopping the same – change the natural hormone level significantly. Such imbalances can have very different symptoms, such as:

  • hot flashes
  • hair loss
  • skin problems
  • Weight changes (loss or gain)
  • mood swings
  • exhaustion

These 8 foods can help regulate hormones

1. Fermented

Yoghurt, sauerkraut or kimchi are full of healthy nutrients that have a positive effect on our digestion. Fermented foods not only keep our gut healthy, they also affect hormone production there. For example, the happiness hormone serotonin is produced in the intestine.

2. Soy

Soybeans and products made from them, such as tofu, can also help regulate our hormonal balance. Soy contains isoflavones, which are among the so-called phytoestrogens and can, among other things, alleviate menopausal symptoms.

3. Flaxseed

Flax seeds have many health benefits. For example, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants – the latter protect cells from harmful free radicals. The phytochemicals lignans are also abundant in flaxseed. They regulate estrogen levels and can help prevent breast cancer, among other things.

4. Berries

Low-sugar fruits, especially berries, contain both estrogen and progesterone and can help to compensate for the lack of sex hormones during menopause. In addition, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc. have an antioxidant effect and thus protect the cells from harmful influences.

5. Broccoli

Broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are cruciferous vegetables. These can regulate estrogen production with the secondary plant substance indole-3-carbinol. In addition, these vegetables also contain many antioxidants.

6. Spinach

Green leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in iron – we’ve known that since Popeye at least. The metal supplies our muscles with oxygen and boosts our immune system with plenty of vitamin C. But iron can do even more: it has a positive effect on our hormone balance. Many hormone-related problems are due to iron deficiency.

7. Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These are a natural source of the sleep hormone melatonin, so walnuts can help us sleep better on a hormonal level.

8. Ginger

The superfood ginger stimulates fat digestion and metabolism. The root can also reduce the harmful xenoestrogens that we absorb from plastics from food packaging residues. Ginger brings our estrogen balance back into balance and can also help protect against cancer.

Sources used: infothek-gesundheit.de, das-ernaehrungs Handbuch.com, netdoktor.de, bustle.com

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Bridget

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