Dark chocolate contains a type of flavonoid called epicatechin, which has been shown to reduce levels of estrogen in the body. Additionally, dark chocolate's antioxidant properties may help to protect against some of the negative effects of estrogen, such as weight gain and mood swings.
Foods that reportedly increase estrogen include flax seeds, soybean products, chocolate, fruit, nuts, chickpeas, and legumes.
Dark chocolate is packed with the high amount of antioxidants and nutrients. It also sends estrogen out of your body and lowers stress hormones. It also improves blood pressure and reduces craving related to PMS.
Dark Chocolate (70% cacao and up)
– Chocolate has many benefits but it can contribute to hormonal balance via its potent magnesium and iron, and ability to lower cortisol and boost mood-impacting hormones, serotonin and dopamine. Just 6gms of 70%+ cacao chocolate bar daily will do the trick!
Exercise regularly. Research suggests that exercise can help to reduce high estrogen levels. Premenopausal women who engage in aerobic exercise for five hours a week or more saw their estrogen levels drop by nearly 19%. Cardio exercise helps the body break estrogen down and flush away any excess.
Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that contains a higher percentage of cacao, and is thus less sweet than milk chocolate or white chocolate. Some research suggests that dark chocolate may increase levels of the hormone estrogen in the body.
Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cacao tree, it's one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find. Studies show that dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.
Cocoa (the primary ingredient used to make chocolates), according to various studies, triggers the brain to release endorphins, the “feel good” hormones. However, dark chocolate triggers maximum endorphin release. This is unlike milk chocolate, its creamier counterpart. Pure cocoa is bitter in taste.
What Are the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate for Women? Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood stream. The oleic acid in cocoa butter (the same mono-unsaturated fatty acid in olive oil) raises good cholesterol (HDL). Research says that dark chocolate is good for your heart.
Products like eggs or milk contain high estrogen levels because they are produced in parts of the animal's body that regulate its hormones. Eating high estrogen foods can help people who suffer from various conditions related to low estrogen levels.
In the study, Asian women who consumed more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day had increased levels of estrogen compared to those who consumed less caffeine, but Caucasian women who consumed more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day had decreased levels of estrogen.
Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries can all help to increase estrogen levels. As well as being rich sources of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, berries contain high levels of phytoestrogen lignans.
A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study involving postmenopausal, overweight, and obese women who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for a year found that those whose vitamin D blood levels increased the most had the greatest reductions in blood estrogens, which are a known risk factor for breast cancer.
In terms of lowering estrogen levels, there is no surefire evidence that any particular drink can help women balance or lower their hormone levels. In saying that, research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health that drinking green tea daily could be linked to lower levels of estrogen in post-menopausal women.
Since oxidative stress is a cause of testosterone deficiency, consuming dark chocolate can boost testosterone levels and sperm production. Dark chocolate also has a number of flavonoids and other antioxidants. Therefore, they can improve testicular function.
Dark chocolate and cocoa products are a source of magnesium and flavonoid antioxidants. Flavonoid antioxidants can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. A 2020 study found flavonoids and isoflavonoids may help increase testosterone levels.
Dark Chocolate and Serotonin Levels
Dark chocolate may increase serotonin levels not only due to the serotonin and L-tryptophan it contains, but also because it contains carbohydrates in the form of sugar, which can signal the body to produce more serotonin.
And while some chocolate-filled treats can be loaded with sugar and other ingredients that aren't great for your health, dark chocolate can be surprisingly good for you. If you eat a small portion of dark chocolate every day, you could see an overall improvement in your health.
And even though quality dark chocolate is a better choice than milk chocolate, it is still chocolate, meaning it's high in calories and saturated fat. To avoid weight gain, Amidor recommends eating no more than 1 ounce (oz) of dark chocolate per day.
“So there are mood-enhancing benefits to eating dark chocolate.” In fact, a study published in January 2022 found that participants who ate 85% dark chocolate daily maintained better overall mood than others who ate chocolate with less cocoa — or no chocolate at all.
“Drinking caffeine can increase estrogen levels in women, sometimes leading to an estrogen dominant state,” says Odelia Lewis, MD, a medical contributor to ABC News Medical Unit. “Estrogen dominance is associated with premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods, fibrocystic breasts, and even certain breast cancers.
Broccoli, kale, and cauliflower
Cruciferous veggies also contain another type of indole, indole-3-carbinol, or I3C. IC3 has been shown to reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers by reducing how much estrogen is available in the body and by promoting detoxification (1).
Magnesium promotes healthy estrogen clearance
By supporting the COMT enzyme (catechol-o-methyltransferase) in the liver, magnesium promotes the healthy excretion of estrogen (9). This may reduce the risk of the estrogen excess conditions (such as fibroids) associated with low COMT function (10).