Can Food Change Your Hormones?

Today, it is possible to find on social networks a large number of videos that promise “magical” or “immediate” solutions to various problems related to health .

Although there are certified specialists who use these platforms to share information that may be useful, they Many users share inaccurate or outright false data. .

Not only can the latter be disappointing after following these suggestions and not getting the results you wanted, but may intensify existing complications or trigger others .

For example, There is a virus that says eating raw cacao daily can balance hormones and “heal” premenstrual syndrome.

This approach was questioned by some doctors.

Taraneh Nazem, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at RMA in New York, told the magazine time that the person who uploaded the video to the networks “made general statements without any support scientist » .

But apart from this point, was concerned that many Internet users thought that these statements were true and effective.

“The comments section was filled with people eager to try it, despite cocoa’s known potential to cause insomnia and anxiety if consumed in large quantities ” added the doctor.

This case This is just one of the ones you can see on the networks.

As Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told the aforementioned media: “Every day, another influencer on TikTok assures that superfoods “They can change our hormonal balance.” .

After watching several videos broadcast on different platforms, identified a number of documents containing dubious claims or which are not based on scientific evidence .

So he proposed, It is important for users to consider certain points before considering what is promised on the Internet.

Perri Halperin, a registered dietitian and clinical nutrition coordinator at Mount Sinai Hospital, predicted that Foods consumed can affect the production and secretion of hormones, generating certain changes in the intestine. .

He added that There are also some that contain hormones. similar compounds or others that mimic them.

However, he clarified to Time that A person’s overall eating habits are what can affect their hormonal health, not just the inclusion of a single meal in their diet. .

This approach has been shared by other experts .

In Messer’s words: “An unhealthy diet high in processed foods and saturated fats can lead to disease such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

SO, Incorporating a single food won’t really provide a “magic bullet” or “instant fix,” but rather it’s about addressing nutrition more broadly. and according to the needs of each patient’s body.

According to the endocrinologist, Diets high in foods such as sweets, refined grains, red meat, and processed foods can increase estrogen levels and promote insulin resistance. due to higher body fat levels.

Anyway, There are cases in which hormonally-related conditions can be treated through diet. while certain foods can sometimes slightly influence hormones.

The fact is that Simply incorporating a meal into your routine – without making any other changes – will not have a major or significant effect in helping you cope with an illness. .

Among the habits that can be beneficial for the body, In addition to taking care of nutrition, they include physical exercise, sleep and stress control. .

Functional dietitian Kaytee Hadley explained to the aforementioned magazine that “While no single food can address the underlying cause of hormonal imbalances, nutrients are important building blocks of hormones and affect their production, transport and elimination.” .

“If you are not getting the necessary vitamins, minerals and macronutrients, Making long-term positive changes to your diet can help to optimize thyroid, stress and sex hormones.

In this sense, Messer commented, referring to certain viral networks that “A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a cup of green tea won’t solve everything.” .

Similarly, Nazem stressed that “This type of misinformation can lead to unmet expectations and possible health problems.” .

The Infertility Specialist at RMA in New York He also discussed the so-called “fertility diets” that appear in the videos. social networks.

Generally speaking, methods are presented which They promise to increase the possibilities couples trying to conceive.

Nazem said that While some aspects of some of these diets are based on scientific studies, others are exaggerated or unproven. .

This is why, he stressed, “It is essential to approach these diets with a critical mind and to understand that individual health and fertility depend on a complex interplay of multiple factors.” .

According to Hadley, it is also essential to keep in mind that Nutritional changes for hormonal health should be made based on the needs of each patient. .

“While there are fundamental strategies that everyone can implement, Knowing what’s going on with your hormones will allow you to take a more individualized approach and address these imbalances. more precisely,” he added.

It is good to remember that If you have any doubts about your health, it is always advisable to consult a specialist to assess the case and the best ways to approach it.