Hormones have a significant impact on our health and well-being. From quenching our thirst to sleeping time, we need hormones to keep our bodies moving on the track. They affect everyone throughout every stage of life in different ways. Whenever your body produces too much or too little of a hormone, it will lead you towards various mood swings very often and make you feel very unwell.
Some of the foods that cause hormonal imbalance are Dairy Products, Soy, Alcohol, Non-organic food like fish and meat, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, pepper, sugar, white bread, junk food, preservatives, and many more.
Reasons Why Certain Foods Cause Hormonal Imbalance
Let’s take a deep dip into the reasons why certain foods could be causing hormonal imbalances.
1. Preservatives
Preservatives are mostly added in every packed product such as cereals, bread, crackers, etc. They hinder the endocrine system and compete against a natural hormone called estrogen. On consuming preservatives unnecessarily, we face various health issues such as weight gain, low thyroid function, and reduced sperm count. It is important to buy fresh food instead of the packed ones and concentrate more towards having unprocessed foods.
2. Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are natural compounds that are found in fruits, vegetables, and some animal products. Its quantity varies from product to product. Some food items like alfalfa, licorice, celery, fennel, celery, soy, wheat, and citrus fruits have a higher amount of phytoestrogens.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol can have an overpowering impact on male and female reproductive organs. Its excessive consumption will lead to disturbance in the endocrine, neurological, and immune systems. It also has the probability to give rise to reproductive problems, physiological stress, thyroid problems, and more. It can bring fluctuations in sex drive that hampers sex activity, could lower fertility, and interfere with menstrual cycles. It is essential to cure it through moderate or less drinking habit.
4. Gluten Foods
Gluten foods are the foods with added sugar that have an adverse effect on your body if not taken in an appropriate amount. It gives rise to inflammation in the gut and can disrupt hormonal balance.
5. Dairy Products
Most of the dairy products consist of synthetic hormones and antibiotics that lead to inflammation, acne, and other problems in the body.
6. Certain Oils
Some oils contain more amount of omega-6 acids than omega-3 fatty acids. For instance- Canola, Sunflower Oil, Vegetable oils, etc. Excessive intake of omega-6 acids can form skin inflammation during peak estrogen times.
7. Soy
It comes loaded with harmful pesticides that give rise to hormonal imbalance. In women, its consumption blocks normal estrogen and hampers regular menses, swelling and tenderness in the breasts, excessive weight gain, insomnia, mood swings, dull and inactive in approach. In men, it leads to erectile dysfunction and infertility.
If we consume the food products as mentioned above more than required, it will lead to estrogen dominance and various unforeseen health disruptions.
Apart from food, some of the significant contributors to Hormonal Imbalance include
- Food allergies and gut issues
- Being overweight or obese
- Genetic susceptibility
- High inflammation caused by a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.
- High-stress level, anxiety
- Not enough sleep
- Toxic elements (exposure to pesticides, toxins, viruses, cigarettes, excessive alcohol and harmful chemicals)
- Importance Of Food In Rebalancing Your Hormones
- Medications
To maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet, each meal should be based on clean protein, hormone-balancing healthy fat, antioxidant rich vegetables, and fresh healing herbs will help your body reshape in its original form
- Clean-Protein – Beans, Seeds, Quinoa, Lentils, Lean meat in the form of chicken, turkey and beef, fish and eggs.
- Healthy Fats – Avocados, Egg-yolks, Nuts, and Seeds
- Antioxidant rich vegetables
- Dark-Green– Asparagus, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, cabbage, cucumbers, kale, coriander, etc.
- Bright-Colored Vegetables– Green, red, yellow and orange bell peppers, red cabbage, red/white onions, tomatoes, and carrots.
- Starchy Vegetables– sweet potato, squash, yucca, beets, artichokes, butternut squash, and turnips.
- Fresh Spices And Herbs– cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne, cumin, garlic, and ginger.
- Get enough sleep and reduce stress
- Be careful while using medication and birth control
- Intake of a well-balanced diet
Setting your diet plan around healthy food choices along with essential nutrients will ensure your body in balancing the hormones. Limit “Junk-foods” that are energy-dense rather than nutrient-dense and which contain processed sugar, trans-fats, and sodium in excess.
As doctors advice that balance is a key in every way when it comes to health, having a whole wide range of nutrients and energy from food sources is the secret to maintaining a balance and hence should avoid foods that cause hormonal imbalance.
Hormones are probably the most potent and essential drivers of body composition, mood construction, and energy levels we have. It is critical to keep them in check. Consuming fresh and wholesome foods will always have positive benefits for your body.
Medically Reviewed By
Kirti M is a Professional Blogger & Content Writer with 5 years of experience in health space and other niches. She is open to new challenges, and enthusiastic about content marketing.
