Top 5 foods to Balance Hormones
1. Avocado
What ancient food first discovered by the Aztecs is great for helping to balance female hormones? Yes you guessed it also known as the ”alligator pear”, avocados contain high levels of glutathione, a potent antioxidant. They have a higher fibre content than apples, and by keeping things moving through the body, they promote hormone balance and eliminate toxic material. Interestingly the shape of the avocado resembles the female body and shape of the womb and has been shown to target the health and function of a woman’s reproductive organs. Research has showed that when a woman eats just one avocado per week hormones are balanced, unwanted birth weight is shed and cervical cancer risk is reduced. Don Tolman, international nutrition expert notes a further feature of the avocado: it takes exactly nine months to grow from blossom to ripened fruit, the same length of gestation for a pregnant woman. Now for all you men out there, did you know that avocado’s can help your vigor in the bedroom? Avocado’s are a good source of potassium and folate, nutrients important to circulation and heart health. The Department of Urology at the University of Michigan Medical Center states that heart health is essential for erectile health. So there you go a little avocado can go a long way!
2. Quinoa
2013 has been declared International Year of Quinoa by the UN. This ancient grain that we are now enjoying in North America is technically a seed, related to the swiss chard, spinach, and beet family. With a protein content of 12 to 18 percent, it has more protein compared with rice, millet, or wheat, one cup providing 9 grams. It’s easy to digest being gluten free and is manganese rich which is important for our energy production and hormone balance.
3. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Popeye got it right with this powerhouse. Spinach contains its own type of plant based steroids called phytoecdysteroids. Phytoecdysteroids have been shown to dramatically increase glucose metabolism. This keeps blood sugar levels stable and minimizes the need for the critical fat-storage hormone insulin. The chlorophyll in spinach also provides magnesium which acts to strengthen the blood-brain barrier and protect the neurological system from environmental toxins. So you stay slim & trim and healthy all at the same time!
4. Chia seeds
Remember the chia pet? Well this little gem not only can produce a beautiful animal when it sprouts but it is easy to digest as it is a gluten-free ancient grain that can be added to just about any food. On a per gram basis, chia seed is believed to be: the highest source of omega-3s in nature with 65 per cent of its total fat from omega-3 fatty acids, the highest source of fibre in nature – 35 per cent (90 per cent of which is insoluble and 10 per cent of which is soluble). This makes it a great choice for hormone balance as the carbs found in chia seeds are mostly insoluble fibre, which means they have few calories. Chia seed stabilizes blood sugar, manages the effects of diabetes, improves insulin sensitivity, and aids symptoms related to metabolic syndrome, including imbalances in cholesterol, blood pressure, and high blood sugar after meals. Chia seed is highly anti-inflammatory and reduces high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a blood marker of inflammation. So why not add 2 tablespoons to your breakfast, smoothies or salads every day!
5. Gogi berries
Ever wonder what the fountain of youth maybe? Well Gogi berries maybe at the top of the list! The Ningxia Hui region of Northern China, where goji berries are grown and eaten on a daily basis, has 16 times as many centenarians — people 100 years old or older — as the rest of the country. The small, red goji berry, traditionally regarded as the “longevity fruit,” is a key ingredient in their healthy diet. These little red jewels are rich in the antioxidant selenium which helps your liver, thyroid (which manages your metabolism) and immune system. The potassium in gogi berries also help to balance your pituitary gland which helps to boost growth hormone. Growth hormone helps you stay young and helps revitalize your skin . Growth hormone is further increased by the amino acids l-glutamine and l-arginine found in the gogi berries. These beauties liven up any trail mix, smoothie or salad!
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