Naturally, eating foods that decrease inflammation in the body will help to tame menstrual cramps. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Research has shown that both a vegetarian and plant-based eating pattern work to decrease inflammation in the body.
Foods to avoid
These include meat, oil, sugars, and salts. In addition, coffee was found to increase cramps. “Refined sugar, common cooking oils, trans fats, dairy products, processed and red meat, refined grains, and alcohol are considered highly inflammatory foods.
– Complex Carbohydrates: Fruits, vegetables and whole foods are your friends always, but especially during menstruation. The fruit from sugar may help alleviate sugar cravings. Try adding apricots, oranges, plums, pears, cucumbers, corn and carrots to your diet.
- Popcorn is not just light and tasty but also a good source of fibre, making it a great food to eat during periods. The amounts of oestrogen are reduced when you consume fibre rich food, which considerably lessens menstrual cramps.
Drink Water
A way to get relief from muscle cramps before they even begin is to drink enough water. Dehydration often plays a part in muscle cramps, so drinking enough water throughout the day can help keep them at bay. Drinking fluids while you have a cramp helps the muscles contract and relax.
A diet high in processed meats, oils, and other inflammation-promoting foods can lead to severe menstrual cramps. Eating more of other foods can help tame period pain.
Yes, chocolate is good for periods, particularly dark chocolate. Many studies have shown eating chocolate during the period can relieve menstrual pain. As per a study conducted on 50 menstruating teenage girls, dark chocolate reduces menstrual cramps and pain.
Dairy products like ice-creams contain arachidonic acid, which increases the prostaglandins levels in the body, thereby causing more cramps. If you experience severe menstrual cramps, you might want to skip cold ice creams during periods.
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormonelike substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more-severe menstrual cramps.
Calcium is found to reduce cramp pains, reduce bloating and water retention. Calcium is present in substantial amounts in: Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
Having a lot of dairy products is not the best idea, as it can cause cramping. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream contain arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), which can increase inflammation and can intensify your period pain.
Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.
Drinking a lot of coffee
This is one of the worst things you can do when you're menstruating! High caffeine content can exacerbate your pain and also contribute to breast tenderness. You might crave caffeine but you will definitely need to reduce the intake of coffee.
Heavy menstrual bleeding often causes women to feel tired, commonly known as period fatigue. This is normal due to the decrease in oestrogen levels, which occurs around this point in your menstrual cycle. Your energy levels will usually return to normal within a few days as your hormone levels begin to increase again.
You can also add more zinc-y foods to your diet like seeds, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and meat. Another potential helper is vitamin B6. A 1983 study found that vitamin B6 lowers estrogen and increases progesterone, normalizing menstrual hormones. This can reduce the duration of your period while easing PMS symptoms.
Recent research suggests that diets high in inflammatory foods such as meat, oil, sugar, and salt can contribute to period cramps. “The underlying cause of painful periods is thought to be inflammation, so anything that reduces it and improves blood flow to the uterus may help with symptoms during your cycle,” says Dr.
Remember, children under four may not have all their childhood molars and are still learning this skill. Popcorn. Again, this is a risk due to a young child's inability to chew well. If you're wondering when babies can eat popcorn, it's best to hold off until around the age of four.