Hormones play an important role in our body. They help in maintaining the healthy functioning of our body as they are also known as the chemical messengers of the body. Even a minor imbalance in your hormones will not just leave an impact on the working of the different organ systems but will also lead to chronic issues such as PCOD, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. There are several causes behind hormonal imbalances but a major factor is our lifestyle.
One of the most important factors of our lifestyle is the food we eat and avoid in our daily diet. There can be certain foods that can disturb your body’s hormone balance. Hormonal imbalances are mainly responsible for various unwanted symptoms occurring in the body, ranging from unusual weight gain to skin issues, skin or even mood swings. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Anjali Phatak, Director Nutripulse and Senior Clinical Nutritionist, Nutripulse, Jaipur, to know about the foods to avoid if you have hormonal imbalance.
Foods to avoid for hormonal imbalance
The hormonal levels can fluctuate naturally in various life phases, most noticeable when puberty hits and in women during their periods, pregnancy and menopause. Your hormones can easily get affected by a sedentary lifestyle and also result in many health conditions. According to Dr. Anjali, here are the foods to avoid if you have hormonal imbalance:
1. Red meat
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Red meat is high in saturated and hydrogenated fats that can prove to be unhealthy and should be avoided to deal with hormonal imbalance. Having red meat increases the production of estrogen in your body and can lead to hormonal imbalance. You can use eggs and fatty fish as alternatives for red meat and they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and will also improve your overall health.
2. Caffeine
Consuming caffeine products such as coffee, alcohol and tea can disturb your sleep cycle and your hormonal balance as well. The high amount of caffeine present in coffee increases the cortisol production in the body. Cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone, can make your body go into a high alert state. Thus, you should avoid caffeine if you have hormonal imbalance.
3. Soy products
Soy products such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauce and tempeh are usually known to be healthy but they can also wreak havoc on your hormonal balance. Soy contains a bioactive substance called phytoestrogen that can compensate for estrogen in the body. Because of this hormone, your ovulation cycle gets affected which can leave an impact on your overall reproductive system.
4. Dairy products
Also Read: Can Too Much Milk Cause Health Problems? Know From The Expert
Dairy products can disturb your hormonal balance. Milk and its products can lead to inflammation in the gut and mess with the hormones. Drinking too much milk can increase triglycerides levels and can contribute to the development of diabetes. Therefore, it is suggested to avoid dairy products if you are already dealing with hormonal issues.
5. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli, and kale are not good for your health if you consume too much. They can lead to inflammation and disturb your thyroid gland. But, it is allowed to eat these vegetables in moderation if you are having hormonal imbalance issues. It is also advised by many experts to avoid the consumption of certain other veggies such as brinjal, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.
6. Sugar and artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners can mess up your hormones as they affect the gut bacteria and increase your appetite. Sugar is also bad as it can lead to hormonal imbalance. You should avoid eating too many sugary foods such as chocolates, doughnuts, cookies, cakes, ice cream, etc. Instead, you can eat healthier substitutes such as jaggery.
7. Processed and bakery foods
Processed and bakery products such as cookies, white bread, and other packed foods are that contain high amounts of preservatives, sodium, and sugar should be avoided if you have hormonal imbalance as they can worsen the symptoms. It can lead to an increase in the inflammation and also puts pressure on the adrenal glands, causing a major risk of weight gain and severe hormonal imbalance.
These were the foods that you should avoid if you have hormonal imbalance as per Dr. Anjali Phatak. Hormonal issues can affect your overall health and cause unwanted symptoms. You can talk to your doctor about foods and drinks to include and avoid in your diet if you are already having hormonal imbalance.
