Hormones regulate the activity of cells and organs in your body, and ultimately act as your body’s control system. When in balance, your body can function optimally. This will allow you to feel energized, motivated, and upbeat. Unfortunately, numerous factors can throw your hormones out of whack and affect how you feel overall. Everyday triggers like artificial scents, processed foods, and certain soaps can destabilize your hormone levels. They can also cause sleep deprivation and influence your menstrual cycle and stress levels.
Although we all experience these triggers from time to time, chronic hormonal imbalances can lead to issues such as weight gain, infertility, and depression. They can also increase your risk for certain cancers and other diseases. Yikes! Lucky for you, you can balance your hormones gently and effectively by adding the right foods to your diet.
The right nutrients give your body the building blocks it needs to produce and maintain a necessary balance of hormones. Here at SkinnyMs., we’ve grouped together the hottest hormone-balancing foods out there. These contain a stable distribution of antioxidants, carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Not only do these foods regulate your hormone levels; they can also improve your reproductive system and bring you gorgeously glowing skin. Bring balance back into your life by eating these deliciously nourishing foods!
5 Terrific Foods for Balancing Hormones
1. Broccoli
Cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, help your body maintain a healthy balance of sex hormones, particularly estrogen. An essential hormone for women, estrogen promotes a healthy reproductive system and the development of reproductive organs. Excess estrogen, however, can lead to issues such as premenstrual syndrome, weight gain, depression, and osteoporosis. The phytochemicals in broccoli help metabolize estrogen efficiently. This helps to prevent an excess of these hormones. Meanwhile, the fiber in broccoli plays a role in reducing estrogen serum, or the estrogen circulating in your blood. This lowers the risk of estrogen-related issues and reduces the symptoms of excess estrogen as well.
The superfood shines deliciously bright in this Quinoa Broccoli Salad or this savory Broccoli and Cheddar Soup!
2. Avocados
Stress can cause your body to pump out a boatload of hormones, ultimately triggering inflammation, sugar cravings, and insulin spikes. The cortisol released under a stressful situation causes your system to enter fight-or-flight mode. This ultimately disrupts your thyroid’s production of hormones. The fiber in avocados reduces sugar spikes in the blood, while the fruit’s monounsaturated fats lower your blood cholesterol and control insulin levels. Meanwhile, the plant sterols in avocados help balance your estrogen levels, and promote progesterone production in women.
Learn more by checking out the Top 3 Reasons to Add Avocados to your Diet.
But let’s be honest- all health benefits aside, it doesn’t hurt that the rich, buttery fruit also tastes incredible.
3. Pomegranates
Coined the “jewel of winter,” pomegranates have been used for centuries in Middle Eastern folk medicine as a remedy for countless health issues. But the ruby-red superfood does an incredible job of promoting hormonal balance. The flower, seeds, juice, and peel contain a very rare fatty acid, punic acid. This nutrient contains fat-burning, anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the negative effects of excess hormones. This, along with the fruit’s phytoestrogens and progesterone-like compounds found in the seeds, help enhance fertility, balance menstrual cycles, calm PMS symptoms, and keep hot flashes at bay.
Check out How to Seed a Pomegranate to learn how to most effectively enjoy this magical fruit, and impress guests with this Beautiful Turnip, Kiwi, and Broccoli Salad!
4. Coconut Oil
Praised for its mind-blowing health benefits and considered one of the healthiest fats out there, coconut oil ranks high on the list of powerful superfoods. That said, it’s no surprise that virgin coconut oil works wonders on your hormones. First, it improves thyroid function by helping cholesterol convert into pregnenolone, a compound your body uses to produce hormones. Meanwhile, the toxins we’re exposed to everyday oftentimes contain hormone-mimicking chemicals that prevent your body from producing real hormones. Coconut oil contains many antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which can reverse the damaging effects of toxins on your body.
And if that’s not enough, here are 6 Reasons to eat a Tablespoon of Coconut Oil Daily!
5. Quinoa
The trendy grain has swept the nation and attracted health fanatics everywhere, and for good reason. Unlike many grains, quinoa doesn’t raise your blood sugar levels and trigger insulin. Insulin fluctuations can trigger higher levels of the hormone androgen. As a complex carb falling low on the glycemic index, quinoa keeps blood sugar stable, and in turn, balances these hormones. Blood sugar fluctuations also cause your body to release cortisol, the stress hormone. Because quinoa releases sugars slowly into your system, it also helps to keep these cortisol levels in check as well.
Loaded with B vitamins, quinoa also helps to keep PMS symptoms at bay and regulate your estrogen levels. What can’t this incredible grain do?
Check out these fabulous Ways to Eat Quinoa for Any and Every Meal, and love your body with this versatile superfood.
Hungry for recipes? Check out the following drool-worthy dishes that feature quinoa.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Walnuts and Raisins
Slow Cooker Chicken and Spring Vegetable Quinoa
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