Menopause turns your body and mind upside down. It’s good that some foods can help bring the estrogen deficiency back into balance.
The estrogen in the body is like ketchup to fries: sometimes the body has too much of it, sometimes too little. Finding the right ration is a real challenge.
Too much estrogen in the body – this is how you know it
Many women experience an excess of estrogen at some point before menopause – a so-called estrogen dominance. In some cases, this manifests itself in weight gain, acne or mood swings.
During menopause, the ovaries gradually stop functioning and estrogen production decreases. Which doesn’t mean that the number of annoying problems will decrease at the same time. Hello hot flashes, greetings incontinence.
Menopause: This diet is good for the body now
The bad news is: You can’t stop menopause. And the good one? The symptoms can at least be alleviated. With phytoestrogen, for example. The phytochemical contains structural similarities to estrogen, which is why it can mimic the hormone and help compensate for estrogen deficiency.
The following vegetables contain phytoestrogen – and other positive properties:
Broccoli
Broccoli has a lot to offer. In addition to vitamins C, E and K, the vegetable also contains vitamin B complexes and minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Thanks to its secondary plant substances, it has an antioxidant effect and protects the body from free radicals. By the way: You should steam it, not boil it.
Garlic
The tuber does leave a nasty smell behind – but we turn a blind eye. Because: Garlic is delicious. And garlic is healthy!
By dilating the blood vessels, it promotes blood circulation. It also breaks down the clotting substance fibrin with the sulfur compound ajoene and therefore acts like a blood thinner.
Rote Bete
There are also a lot of good things in beetroot, including vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc.
The betanin it contains (which is also responsible for the red color) is an antioxidant and scavenges free radicals. Beetroot is also said to have a positive effect on blood pressure and to promote digestion.
Carrots
Are carrots actually good for your eyes? Yes, but to a limited extent: the beta-carotene in carrots is a precursor to vitamin A. And a deficiency of it can cause poor eyesight. With beta-carotene, the deficiency can be compensated for to some extent and the poor eyesight can be eliminated.
But carrots can do even more: They strengthen the immune system and relieve gastrointestinal complaints with their insoluble fiber (which binds less water and therefore stimulates transport in the intestine better).
Spinach
Popeye taught us as children: spinach makes you strong! Even if it doesn’t work quite so smoothly in reality with the growing biceps.
However, you should still eat the green leaves. In addition to iron, spinach contains calcium and folic acid as well as provitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K1. The latter helps regulate blood clotting.