Why are these hormone balancing superfoods important, especially for women?
Hormones are responsible for many a thing within your body. One of those things happens to be weight.
Research shows that hormones can influence appetite and is ultimately responsible for the amount of fat deposited within your body.
However, hormones influence within the body is much broader. Thus, you must have neither too much nor too little of any hormone—a condition otherwise known as hormonal imbalance.
Hormonal imbalance is a struggle globally, especially for women. The symptoms range from mood swings to skin issues and insomnia.
To prevent such a scenario, we enlist the help of superfoods for their hormone balancing qualities. Superfoods refer to foods that offer maximum nutritional value for negligible calories.
There are, however, no standard criteria for classifying these foods. Conversely, it has been observed that they are mostly plant-based.
HORMONE BALANCING SUPERFOODS THAT ARE GREAT FOR WOMEN
Here are some hormone balancing superfoods that are great for women.
1. FLAX SEEDS
Flax seeds are extremely effective in balancing out sex hormones. Sex hormones such as estrogen are responsible for various processes.
This includes the management of the female reproduction system and sex characteristics such as hips and breasts.
Flax seeds are thus effective as a hormone balancing superfoods because they contain phytoestrogen. A plant-based compound that has similar effects as estrogen.
It can bind to the estrogen receptors resulting in the production of the required amount of estrogen within the female body.
2. BELL PEPPERS
Whether man or woman, our day-to-day lives are never short of stress, whether physical or emotional. As time goes on, higher stress levels lead to excessive production of ‘stress hormone’ – cortisol.
Excessive production of cortisol throws the adrenal hormones out of balance. Adrenal hormones are responsible for helping us reduce stress levels.
They also facilitate the process of regulating blood pressure and blood sugar. Consumption of hormone balancing foods such as bell peppers restores hormonal balance.
This is due to their high concentration of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for helping out with adrenal function and balances cortisol levels.
On top of this, bell peppers offer up a plethora of B vitamins. As a result, they increase energy levels and help in the reduction of stress levels.
3. LEAFY GREENS AND COLORFUL VEGETABLES
Increasing your intake of plant-life is a very effective and affordable means of supporting balance hormones in females.
Colorful vegetables, i.e., kale, contain specific nutrients such as antioxidants and enzymes. These nutrients enable the liver to metabolize excess hormones such as progesterone.
These superfoods are also vital during your period cycle. The workload they take off the liver enables the liver to produce extra iron during a period a lot of blood is lost.
4. BROCCOLI
Broccoli is filled to the brim with numerous nutrients. It is thus considered by many as a ‘perfect vegetable.’
The cruciferous vegetable is very effective when it comes to matters hormonal balance. For example, broccoli helps negate the effects of excessive estrogen.
Phytochemicals within the vegetable also play a major role in the detoxification of hormones by the liver.
5. CHASTE BERRY
The chaste berry is one example of hormone balancing herbs. It is often taken as a supplement rather than a berry.
The chaste berry is effective in dealing with period irregularities and menopause symptoms.
It is one of the hormonal balancing superfoods that does exactly that, balances hormones.
This is because it is responsible for balancing the levels of progesterone to estrogen. The chaste berry can do this due to its support of the pituitary and thyroid gland.
As such, it can do its balancing act, considering the pituitary and the thyroid gland control the release of various hormones.
6. SUPER-NUTS
There are various kinds of super-nuts. Each is packed with different hormone balancing properties.
For instance, the walnut contains omega-3 fatty acids that are largely effective in hormone balancing.
Brazilian nuts contain high amounts of selenium—a mineral used for thyroid hormone production.
7. SALMON
Fish such as salmon provide healthy fats, i.e., omega-3. These fatty acids promote cell-to-cell communication, which in turn improves hormonal communication.
Recent studies have also suggested that omega-3 supplements from fish oils help regulate women’s menstrual cycle with polycystic ovary syndrome.
8. TURMERIC
Turmeric can be used as one of the hormonal balancing superfoods due to its anti-estrogen and anti-androgen properties.
According to recent studies, it can thus be used as a precautionary measure against hormonal cancers.
The roots of a turmeric plant also helps with menstrual pains.
9. SARDINES
Sardines are a thyroid-supportive food. The thyroid hormone is responsible for processes such as metabolism and energy.
It has been noted when one isn’t producing adequate thyroid hormone; they have low levels of B12 vitamins. Something that sardines contain in plenty.
Sardines, therefore, provide the body with the necessary B12 vitamins to raise thyroid hormone levels.
Consequentially, energy levels and metabolic rate, a facet important for weight loss, can also be raised.
10. GARLIC
Garlic contains powerful oxidants that are helpful to the liver during detoxification of hormones.
It is also nullifies the effects of excessive estrogen. It can nullify these effects due to its ability to reduce the responsiveness of estrogen receptors.
As a result, it slows down further production of unwarranted amounts of estrogen.
11. SHRIMP
Lack of adequate specific minerals within the body can at times trigger hormonal imbalances. One of the minerals that can trigger hormonal imbalance is Vitamin D.
A mineral available in plenty when you consume shrimp. It is thus a great way for you to increase your vitamin D levels and ensure hormonal balance.
12. GINGER
Ginger is one of the hormone balancing superfoods due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is, however, most useful to a woman during her first trimester.
Morning sickness is often a grueling experience every expectant woman has to go through. However, ginger’s main plant compounds – gingerol and shogaols provide a remedy.
Their anti-nausea properties act on the hormonal receptors in the digestive system fastening the process of stomach emptying.
This consequentially reduces the feeling of nausea.
13. SUNFLOWER SEEDS
Our body’s ability to respond to stress is largely dependent on the health of the adrenal gland.
This is because the adrenal gland is responsible for producing adrenal hormones such as cortisol – the ‘stress hormone.’
Sunflower seeds are rich in protein and B vitamins that keep the adrenal glands healthy. Consequentially ensuring hormonal balance.
14. APPLES
Apples are one of the more popular hormone balancing superfoods. It plays a major role in maintaining healthy estrogen levels.
This is due to minerals such as Calcium d-glucarate, which are influential in estrogen levels’ detoxification.
Apples contain pectin fiber. It binds to the estrogen and passes it as excrement. Thus, it ensures any unnecessary or toxic hormones are released from the body as waste.
15. POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates are associated with the reversal of bone loss experienced during menopause.
It also has hormone-balancing properties due to the steroid-like structure of the lignans it possesses.
CONCLUSION
The delicate balance of most hormone balancing superfoods makes them unique sources of nutrients. They, however, cannot work magic.
As such, you should carefully incorporate them into your diet based on your immediate and long-term needs.
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