Hormones play a massive role in our daily lives. They are the chemical messengers that tell our bodies what to do, how, and when. Produced by glands in our endocrine system, our hormones are responsible for regulating numerous important functions, including our metabolism, reproductive health, mood, development, and more.

Consequently, when our hormones become imbalanced, that can lead to uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects, ranging from weight loss and fatigue to mental health concerns and infertility.

That’s why it’s crucial to monitor and support your hormonal health. Holistic measures such as proper exercise, sleep, and stress reduction can play a role in maintaining hormonal balance, but so can a nutrient-rich diet.

Here are five examples of hormone-balancing foods you should be adding to your diet.

Cruciferous Vegetables

For women in the first half of their menstrual cycle or anyone dealing with estrogen dominance, cruciferous vegetables can prove particularly beneficial. They contain indole-3-carbinol, a compound which helps the liver metabolize of excess estrogen.

This can help counteract symptoms of estrogen dominance such as mood swings, irregular periods, and weight gain.  

Examples:

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Bok choy

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts 

Dark Leafy Greens

No one likes to feel stressed. But sometimes, life’s speeds up, and it’s difficult to avoid. In these situations, adding dark leafy greens to your diet can actually lower cortisol levels, the hormone most closely associated with stress.  

These veggies are packed full of plenty of other nutrients, too, including iron, folate, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K. Combined, these vitamins and minerals can play a role in improving energy, decreasing menstrual irregularities, and more.

Examples:

• Kale

• Spinach

• Swiss chard 

• Mustard greens

• Collard greens

Omega-3s

This probably isn’t the first time you’re hearing that Omega-3s are an important part of a healthy diet. They are particularly helpful to anyone dealing with inflammation, which is a common sign of a hormonal imbalance.

Anyone dealing with chronic inflammatory conditions would greatly benefit from the adding more omega-3s into their diet.

Examples:

• Avocado

• Chia seeds

• Fatty Fish

Cacao 

While this isn’t an invitation to chow down on a whole bag of chocolate, the truth is that cacao (the raw and unprocessed version of chocolate / cocoa) has plenty of nutritional benefits that can carry over to its sweeter counterpart.

Like cruciferous vegetables, cacao contains high levels of magnesium which can help reduce stress and improve moods. Cacao has also been found to release endorphins, a.k.a the “feel-good” hormone.

All of which goes to support the idea that a little bit of chocolate can make a bad day better.

Green Tea 

Rich in minerals, green tea has been a healthy source of energy and wellness for centuries.  And — you guessed it — it is also a fantastic tool for balancing our hormones naturally.  

It has been found that green tea can play a role in improving hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome by reducing cyst formation. Research has also found that it can assist adrenal hormone regulation through the reduction of corticosterone levels. And for women looking to get pregnant, green tea has also been linked to the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone, both of which play crucial roles in one’s reproductive health.

Want to Know More About Your Hormone Health? 

All of our lives are impacted by the hormones in our bodies. If you’d like to know more about how your diet and lifestyle might be playing a role in your hormonal health, consider reaching out for a free 20-minute consultation.

We can talk through your unique situation and see if my Hormonal Health Program might be a good fit for you.