Ever heard the saying “too much of a good thing”? Well, when it comes to hormonal health, this old adage might just ring true…
Hormones are chemical messengers that belong to the body’s endocrine system and control most major bodily functions. They’re responsible for regulating appetite, sleep, mood, reproduction and metabolism – among other things!
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably already eating for gut-health, glowing skin and energy, but are you eating for happy hormones? If not, it might be time to check your intake of these five common foods and bevvies.
Fruit…
Now before you get your knickers in a knot, we love fruit at IQS. Yes, it does contain fructose, but it also contains fibre, which works to slow down the release of sugar into the body. That said, most IQS staffers enjoy 1–2 pieces of whole fruit every day – we don’t go bananas and we certainly steer clear of juices and fruit-filled smoothies! This is because we know that too much fructose can overload the liver and mess with insulin levels. It goes without saying that all sugar, not just the sugar found in apples and oranges, can mess with your hormones if eaten in excess.
Coffee…
It’s 10:15 am and the IQS staffers head outside for a milky morning brew… but are we doing ourselves a massive disservice? We asked IQS expert and holistic dietitian, Natalie Bourke, for some guidance.
“Overdoing caffeine can increase levels of cortisol, our ‘stress hormone’, in the body. If this cortisol is pushed too high, it will be produced at the expense of your sex hormones and throw off your hormonal balance. This can contribute to things such as infertility (in both men and women), PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and low libido (to name a few). So best to be sensible with your caffeine intake. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms/conditions, having a break for a period of time can be an important part of a therapeutic intervention or healing protocol.”
Felt your heart rate increase at the thought of breaking up with your barista? Play it cool. Most people (not all) tolerate coffee quite well in moderation. So stick to a cup a day, before midday, and you might even reap some of the health benefits associated with this delicious bean.
Wine and beer…
By now you’re probably wondering what won’t be included on this list. Fruit, coffee and now alcohol too?! Fear not, we love a good glass of vino too, but the key is to drink it in moderation. Going too hard on the booze affects your sexual hormones by lowering levels of testosterone, potentially resulting in fogginess, fatigue, irritability and even fertility troubles. What’s more, heavy drinking increases insulin resistance, which has been linked to type 2 diabetes. Find out what ‘moderation’ means for your body and stick to it!
Soy…
This poor little legume has been the focus of some heated debate in recent years. Some experts suggest that soy products are essential to the pursuit of happy hormones, while others recommend avoiding them altogether. We’ve talked about the pros and cons of soy before but the science still isn’t definitive. Until we find out more, we’ll be choosing organic and fermented soy products like tempeh, miso and tamari. If you’re not a fan of moo-milk and the like, make sure that the soy products you’re choosing are Australian grown in order to avoid GMOs.
Meat…
You might roll your eyes at labels like “organic” and “grass-fed”, but when it comes to meat, these buzzwords really do make a difference. You’ll pay more for it, but you’ll get less – less of the nasty stuff, that is! That’s because certified organic meat cannot legally contain growth hormones or antibiotics – both of which are used to turn little cows into big ones, fast! These substances may well cause hormonal imbalances in us human folk too, so at IQS, we approach meat-eating as we approach life in general: mindfully! Embrace nose-to-tail eating and get to know your butcher (or better, a local farmer!). Make meat-free days a regular thing and don’t turn your nose up at unusual cuts of meat – they’re cheaper, full of the good stuff and totally deserving of a place in your freezer (not the bin!).
Have you experienced changes in hormonal health after increasing or decreasing your intake of certain foods? Let us know!
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