Hormone imbalances have many causes, from pregnancy and menopause to going on or off oral contraceptives, but the results are rarely positive. Most of the time, hormone imbalances can wreak havoc on your skin, and they can also contribute to weight fluctuations.
If you want to prevent hormone caused acne and other skin issues, introduce the best foods that balance hormones into your diet. From cruciferous vegetables to oils and seeds that help you out, here are the foods that keep your hormones in check.
Broccoli
Rich in phytonutrients, broccoli is an excellent way to keep estrogens in check, which also helps prevent breast cancer. You can benefit from isothiocyanates in all cruciferous vegetables, so if you’re tired of broccoli, try cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, or Brussels sprouts. You don’t have to eat a lot of them to keep your hormones balances, 2-3 cups per week do the trick.
Soy Foods
Phytoestrogens have a good regulating power and can also lower cholesterol. If soy milk or others products don’t get you bloated or gassy, then include them in your diet in moderate amounts. Improving your skin with phytoestrogens from other sources is just as easy, when you know how to choose the best foods that balance hormones. Peas, beans, bean sprouts and sunflower seeds can be just as effective as non-GMO soy.
Coconut Oil
Thanks to its high content of lauric acid, coconut oil is beneficial for both your hormones and directly for your skin. You won’t need more than 1/4 cup of coconut oil per day, and you can also get lauric acid from other coconut products, but oil is the right way to go especially if you’re dealing with hormone-related acne.
Flax Seeds
Definitely one of the best foods that balance hormones, flaxseed has great phytoestrogenic compounds that can help control your hormones. If you’re not going to eat any soy, then the lignans found in flax seeds are particularly important. You can add them to salads, cereal and even smoothies, but it’s important to keep the frozen to avoid the oils going rancid.
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Avocados
Get a good dose of healthy monounsaturated fats by eating more avocado. Rich in beta-sitosterol, avocados can help control a lot of bad hormones, including cortisol, the stress hormone, which can affects both your skin and your weight. The same compound is even more beneficial if you work out regularly, because it reduces inflammation.
Nuts
Don’t forget one of the best foods that balance hormones and add a handful of nuts to your daily diet. All nuts have beta-sitosterol, along with other plant sterols that can have a beneficial effect on your hormone levels. Almonds are particularly useful, and so are walnuts, but all kinds of nuts can contribute to appetite control when you’re dealing with hormone-related cravings.
Eggs
An excellent source of protein, eggs have a high content of vitamins and minerals that aid hormonal balance. Egg yolks are particularly valuable thanks to their mixture of iodine and choline, two substances that contribute to thyroid health, which means better regulated hormones.
Chia Seeds
The balance between omega-3s and omega-6s is particularly important, with the former being deficient in many diets. Chia seeds can provide plenty of omega-3s, more than cold water fish, and they’re also an excellent source of fiber. They’re one of the best foods that balance hormones because they can also keep blood sugar in check, stopping food cravings that end up as harmful both for your skin and weight.
Raw Cream Butter or Ghee
Butter made from unpasteurized cream is also beneficial for your hormone balance thanks to fat-soluble vitamins and healthy fatty acids. It’s particularly important if you’re dealing with certain hormonal deficiencies. Opt for grass-fed butter, that’s lacking any growth hormones.
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Pomegranates
With a high antioxidants content, pomegranate arils are anti-inflammatory, but they’re also one of the best foods that balance hormones. They play an important part in inhibiting the production of estradiol, a powerful estrogen that has been linked to breast cancer.