Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts to shed its lining. This is a monthly misery to every woman who menstruates which causes pain in the stomach, lower back, and upper thighs. While painkillers tend to provide short term relief, it also tends to not work in some women and not advisable to many.
According to a recent study, an anti-inflammatory diet may relieve menstrual cramps. A new research review showcased at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) conference has confirmed that dietary and a few diet related lifestyle changes can make a major difference on the severity of menstrual cramps a woman suffers each month.
Talking along the lines, Serah Sannoh, a Rutgers University student and lead author of the poster presentation, told a leading medical website, "Researching the effects of diet on menstrual pain started as a search to remedy the pain that I personally experienced each following month; I wanted to understand the science behind the association and them find a remedy to it."
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The prime focus of the analysis was on adolescent and teenage girls, as menstrual cramps are the most common in this age group which are also responsible for several misses on school days. The review of the study found that there are certain food items that worsen the menstrual pain. These food items included meat, sugar, salt, oil and coffee. Coffee especially was found to have the most adverse affects.
The findings of the research therefore suggests that limiting the intake of meat and processed foods while increasing oily fish, seeds, and nuts in your diet may relieve the monthly pain.
“Even if a girl or woman does not adapt to a strict anti-inflammatory diet, reducing the intake of inflammatory foods should help them in decreasing the inflammation which is the root cause of menstrual pain,” Sannoh concluded.
