With symptoms ranging from night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain and fatigue, menopause can often be a challenging time in a woman’s life.
All of these changes set the stage for anxiety and depression, putting you in an extremely negative state of mind. Studies suggest that around 20% of the women experiencing menopause in the U.S. have suffered from depression at some point or another, because of the reproductive hormones that produce mood alterations.
Even though some symptoms are unavoidable, there are ways of alleviating the negative effects and get in a more positive state of mind because, after all, life is too short not to enjoy it to the fullest.
Here are the five superfoods that can make you feel like you’ve never reached menopause in the first place:
Beans
These plant seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are known for relieving many menopausal symptoms, such as fatigue and depression. They give you a wonderful boost of energy, not to mention an increased libido, which so many women experience during this phase of their lives.
Green leafy vegetables and fruits
Just like beans, these superfoods contain estrogen-like chemicals, known for balancing hormone levels and fending off those hot flashes. So next time you’re in a supermarket, fill up your shopping cart with broccoli, lettuce, and spinach, as these amazing superfoods have extraordinary health properties and are guaranteed to work wonders for your body and mind.
If you want to start off your day in full swing and get all the nutrients you need, there is nothing better than making a healthy, powerful juice in the comfort of your own home. Aside from all the health benefits brought by juicing, it is also a wonderful way for you to exercise your creativity and invent your very own recipes.
Since every woman is different, every one of us responds to certain kinds of foods, so this is your chance to find out what works best for you and what doesn’t. However, if you lack inspiration, there are plenty of recipes out there to get you going.
Flaxseed
This amazing plant-based food contains omega-3 fatty acids, known for relieving some of the negative symptoms that come with menopause. According to a study published in the journal Menopause, women who consume omega-3 experience significantly less hot flashes and are also less depressive.
Aside from all of this, they have antioxidant qualities, protecting your body from developing atherosclerosis, cancer and many other conditions.
Berries
In a nutshell, berries are a natural depression remedy, since they are packed with folic acid, known for regulating the mood and beating depression. Folic acid supplements have long been used in antidepressant drugs, but why go for an artificial medication when you can have the real deal?
They are also known for protecting the heart, vision and keeping the skin looking youthful, so go ahead and eat as many blueberries, cranberries and strawberries as you like. We promise it will be worth it.
Prunes
A big concern during menopause is bone loss and the risk of developing osteoporosis due the estrogen deficiency. While calcium is a clear solution in order to increase bone health, boron is another compound that is potentially crucial to include in your diet. Around three ounces of prunes can add between 3 to 4 milligrams of boron that could ultimately improve bone health, and nullify the possible drawbacks of menopause.
Prunes have the added benefit of reducing hot flashes as well as well as potentially reversing such conditions. They extend the life of estrogen and vitamin D, which could ultimately help you with both your health and your mood.
