Fruits, vegetables, soybeans, and whole grains contain many plant compounds that function as estrogen to help enhance reproductive health and protect bones and brain.
Estrogen is a female hormone, produced mainly from the ovaries, with a small amount from the adrenal glands and fat cells. They regulate the menstrual cycle, affecting the urinary tract, heart, blood vessels, bones, skin, hair and brain.
Each person can increase or decrease estrogen levels through food. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body, and are beneficial in combating symptoms caused by deficiency of this hormone. There are four types of phytoestrogens in plants including isoflavones, stilbene, coumestan and lignan. Below are foods rich in phytoestrogen, which help strengthen female hormones.
Fruit
Fruits that contain phytoestrogen include apples, grapes, and pomegranates. Apples are also rich in vitamin C, which plays an important role in the production of hormones responsible for reducing depression and anxiety, helping to prevent the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and controlling type 2 diabetes. The antioxidants in pomegranates help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, positively affecting the endocrine system.
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Vegetables rich in phytoestrogen include broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, spinach… which have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, positively affecting the activity of estrogen. A diet rich in vegetables also reduces the risk of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Nuts
Phytoestrogen-rich seeds including almonds, flaxseeds, pistachios, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds promote improvement in menopausal problems such as lack of sleep and poor bone health. They are also rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce cholesterol levels and metabolic syndrome. Regularly eating nuts helps control blood sugar levels and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Products from soybeans
Soybeans are known for their high phytoestrogen content, which contains isoflavones, which support estrogen balance for women. These beans are rich in protein, B vitamins, fiber, and potassium. Soybean products include soy milk, soy sauce, tofu…
Beans
Other beans also contain phytoestrogens such as chickpeas, lentils, peas… which have the effect of enhancing female hormones. This food source contains protein, fiber, and antioxidant compounds that help nourish beneficial intestinal bacteria and control blood sugar.
Whole grains
Whole grains contain lignan, a type of phytoestrogen that may limit the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis in people who have gone through menopause. Women add whole grains in their daily diet such as barley and oats. This food also contains healthy amounts of carbohydrates, which stimulate serotonin production. This is a neurotransmitter that directly affects appetite, sleep, and mood.