By Staff of Forum Health Vienna
Truth be told, you probably don’t go about thinking about the hormonal impact of what they’re about to eat. All that’s most likely top of mind is quenching that raging hunger in your stomach.
But if you realize how important hormones are, you’d pay a little more attention to that. Your hormones affect all facets of your body, including stress levels, digestion, metabolism, sleep, and even brain function. What’s more, hormone imbalances are the primary reasons for a wide range of medical issues like weight gain, diabetes, and infertility.
To prevent that from happening, we turn our attention to 10 foods that can help improve your body’s hormonal balance.
1. Avocado
Avocado is one of the healthiest fruits available because they are packed with lots of beneficial nutrients.
This superfood uniquely contains a high source of plant sterols. Research has shown that eating plant sterols can lower cholesterol and improve heart health. It also increases progesterone in women and testosterone in men, leading to improved fertility.
Avocados can be eaten raw just like any other food. But you can also sprinkle them with a pinch of salt and pepper to add extra seasoning.
2. Almonds
Dietitians often point us to nuts as a healthy snack because of their impressive nutritional benefits.
For instance, almonds can help increase your body’s adiponectin hormone. This hormone is what’s responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. By increasing this hormone, you significantly lower your risk of diabetes.
Eating almonds also helps to improve skin texture, particularly in women, by reducing their testosterone levels. Because almonds can affect testosterone levels, it is important for men to first consult their doctor before including it in their regimen.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and metabolism-boosting compounds. Green tea also contains theanine, a compound that reduces the release of stress hormones (cortisol). What’s more, antioxidants reduce your risk of inflammation and diseases.
By drinking green tea regularly, women may get increased and healthy levels of progesterone. This improved balance in estrogen levels helps to manage some unpleasant menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
4. Broccoli
If you’re like most people, you had your mom force you to eat broccoli as a kid. Well, she did you right! Broccoli contains phytoestrogen compounds which may promote beneficial estrogen metabolism.
Broccoli sprouts also contain sulforaphane, a compound that helps reduce your risk of hormone-related tumors. You should eat broccoli raw, with a dip, or in a salad, to get the most nutrient out of it.
5. Flaxseed
Some say flaxseed is one the most powerful foods on earth. It’s hard to argue with that when you realize that research has shown this superfood to reduce the risk of heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and even stroke.
In addition, flaxseed may help reduce inflammation by providing anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
6. Maca Root
Maca helps you to stabilize your mood and maintain positive energy. It also provides relief from mood swings caused by hormonal imbalance. This is achieved by lowering levels of cortisol in the body.
Maca may help with a wide range of sexual dysfunctions, from boosting sperm motility to increasing sex drive in men and women. You can eat Maca in capsule form or spray it into beverages if it’s in powdered form.
7. Apples
You’ve probably heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. That’s 100% true! Apples are very beneficial to your hormonal health.
Packed with vitamin C, apples promote the production of progesterone, which in turn helps reduce your risk of anxiety and depression. What’s more, apples contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce inflammation.
8. Salmon
Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. The same is true of other fatty fishes like lake trout, sardines, herring, and albacore tuna. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
What’s more, salmon reduces inflammation and helps control insulin. It also improves mood and cognition by enhancing cell-to-cell communication.
9. Dark Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are packed with several beneficial nutrients that help fight against inflammation and lower your cortisol levels. This, in turn, reduces overall stress levels, as well as wear and tear on the body.
Leafy greens also act as a natural antioxidant that can help boost your iron and energy levels. Examples of leafy greens include kale, arugula, and rapini, among many others.
10. Turmeric
For thousands of years, turmeric has been used for its medicinal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric’s high curcumin content is what gives it this superpower.
What’s more, curcumin has also been shown to boost levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which promotes the growth of new neurons, and fights against degenerative brain processes.
We understand that health related issues can be highly nuanced, complex, technical, and based on the individual – and we are here to help guide you through the process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us here for more information. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
