5 Foods that create hormonal balance

To understand how to create hormonal balance within our beings, firstly we need to understand what hormones drive the emotional centres of our brain and how they communicate with our bodies.

The three main hormones to consider are serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. Serotonin is the hormones that promotes emotional balance, it is our mood stabiliser. People who experience depression, will often have low serotonin stores.

Oxytocin and dopamine, usually work hand in hand. They are our ‘feel good hormones’ and are released when we laugh, cuddle, smile, have sex, exercise and get creative. Think of it link a tap, when we do these things they are slowly released, in what I like to call a dopamine drip. When we drink alcohol, have sex, do drugs and eat processed junk food in excess we create a dopamine dump. This is why we feel so damn good. This is what the honeymoon period of a relationship can be attributed too.

This type of behaviour is not sustainable, and contributes to addiction. The continual dopamine dump is also what depletes our serotonin stores.

Can you see a vicious cycle occurring here?

So how do we create a healthy dopamine drip?

As an exercise physiologist, I understand how the nerves in our body communicate with our brain and organs when we exercise. The research shows exercise rehabilitation is one of the most efficient ways to create a healthy dopamine drip.

However, what we are learning is, aside from exercise, foods can also be an effective way of creating hormonal imbalance. When we understand the gut and how it communicates with our brain and body, it’s a highly effective way of supporting body balance or homeostasis.

In general foods that promote hormonal balance are foods high in antioxidants and low in refined sugar.

My 5 tops foods that create hormonal balance are;

• Avocado – nature’s butter, is loaded with high-density lipids to lower your cholesterol, improve urinary symptoms and flow measures. Avocado helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and stabilize estrogen and progesterone.
• Nuts and seeds – the most accessible and convenient source of fatty acids and antioxidants, nuts and seeds are also full of high-density lipids and omega-3 for brain and blood health. Flaxseed and almonds in particular have anti-estrogenic effects that promote estrogen balance in men and women, and it’s been suggest to have protective benefits against cancer.
• Broccoli and leafy greens – these cruciferous vegetables have been proven to have antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. They can help protect DNA damage and reduce stress on the body, which in turn promotes hormonal balance.
• Quinoa – being a complex carbohydrate, quinoa helps to lower your blood glucose level, which keeps insulin and hormones balanced. It’s a great source of protein and fibre, and can be added to breakfast porridge, and salads.
• Blueberries and pomegranate – rich in antioxidant filled fruits, these fruits block estrogen production in the body, which in excess can lead to certain cancers.

You’ll also find when you don’t eat enough of these types of foods, you will be craving sugar and chocolate, and often lacking in magnesium and other vital minerals.

If you found this helpful and want to get more tips and tricks about how to create healthier lifestyle choices with ease, click here to join the tribe and get your free meal plan.

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