Hormonal imbalances can mean more for your health than just a few zits on your face or mood swings. Hormones are your body’s natural messengers that tell your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues what to do and when to do it. With more than 50 hormones working together within the body’s intricate systems, managing vital processes such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood, keeping them in balance is essential for good health.
While medications and natural remedies, like Krishna’s She Care Juice and Krishna’s Thyro Balance Juice, can help bring your hormones back on track, a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits are equally important. This article discusses the top foods that keep your hormones happy and healthy, helping you feel more like yourself again and perform at your best.
Foods For Hormonal Balance
The role of food is huge when it comes to hormone production. For example, a nutrient-rich diet will provide your body with all the essential vitamins and minerals that support your endocrine glands, including the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, pancreas, and others, to function properly. On the other hand, if your diet is mostly processed, loaded with sugar, and empty carbs, these glands may begin to function improperly. There can also be other issues like insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased levels of cortisol (stress hormones) all of which can eventually affect hormone secretion and its role.
Here are 8 best foods that will help to balance hormones naturally.
1. Flaxseeds
This is the most underrated superfood that is high in fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and many vitamins and minerals with added hormone-balancing benefits. The little compounds called “lignans” (and lignins) found in flaxseeds work best for balancing symptoms of estrogen dominance that are:
- Mood swings, irritability, and breast tenderness during ovulation or PMS (premenstrual syndrome), along with headaches, migraines, or acne flare-ups.
- Heavy or irregular periods, weight gain around the hips and thigh.
- Water retention, and a general feeling of puffiness.
- A shorter menstrual cycle (typically under 25 days) and spotting before the period.
Also Read: Home Remedies For Painful Periods
Being loaded with both soluble and insoluble fibre, flaxseed is also beneficial if you struggle with constipation.
They also provide healthy fats called omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol and inflammation, helping in healthy hormone production.
For balancing hormones, it is usually recommended to take 2 tbsp of ground flax seeds per day. Whole flax seeds can also be used, but the best way to consume them is by storing them in the fridge to preserve their healthy oils and grinding them just before eating. If grinding seeds every time feels like too much of a hassle, you can simply buy pre-ground flax seeds.
Recommended product: Flax Seed Oil Omega -3 Heart Health
2. Avocados
This is another well-loved superfood that helps with hormonal balance. Avocados, once seen as an exotic fruit are now gaining popularity in Indian kitchens. People are using it in salads, dips and even traditional recipes because of its many health benefits. This creamy fruit is rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fats, which are key for supporting the production of hormones, maintaining cell membranes, and reducing inflammation.
One of the avocados’ main benefits is their ability to help balance cortisol. Also, the potassium content in avocados helps regulate adrenal gland function, which plays a critical role in managing stress and maintaining hormonal balance.
Look for avocado recipes on YouTube, and you will find tons of healthy and quick options!
3. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, methi, and kale are nutritional powerhouses which contain various phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that help regulate cortisol levels. When your cortisol level is balanced, other hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, also function smoothly, helping with mood swings, irritability, and fatigue.
Leafy greens are also high in folate, vitamin B, and antioxidants essential for hormone production, reducing inflammation, and cellular repair. On top of all the benefits of these foods for balancing hormones, they are rich in fibre, which is good for your gut health.
4. Calcium-Rich Foods
Calcium is important for bone health, this everyone knows. But what you might not know is it also plays a key role in hormone balance. It helps balance the levels of hormones like estrogen and parathyroid hormone. If you struggle with mood swings, water retention, hormonal migraines, or PMS-related symptoms, then include calcium in your diet and see the difference it makes.
Dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, but if you’re avoiding dairy, you can turn to alternatives like fortified plant-based milk, tofu, almonds, and leafy greens like spinach and kale. Seeds like chia and sesame, as well as dried figs, also offer a calcium boost.
Recommended Ayurvedic product as a calcium source: Sciatifix Juice
5. High Protein Foods
In 2024, protein-rich foods have become a buzzing health trend as more people recognize their importance in daily diets. Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders—it’s essential for everyone aiming to maintain hormonal balance and overall health.
Proteins provide the amino acids your body needs to produce hormones like insulin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones, which regulate critical functions such as metabolism, energy levels, and cell repair. Eating enough protein also stabilizes blood sugar levels by slowing glucose absorption, preventing spikes and crashes that could lead to hormonal imbalances like insulin resistance or cortisol overproduction.
Moreover, protein helps regulate hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, keeping you feeling full and reducing overeating—key factors in maintaining balanced hormones and a healthy weight.
Great sources of protein options are paneer, curd, tofu, lentils, beans, quinoa, and nuts
6. Cruciferous Vegetables
The cruciferous vegetable family, also called the Brassica family, includes a variety of nutrient-packed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress, and radishes. These superfoods are very beneficial for someone who has low estrogen levels.
They are also high in vitamin C and antioxidant content that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can otherwise affect the normal functioning of other hormones like insulin and cortisol.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric, often called the “golden spice,” has long been known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. But when it comes to foods that help with hormonal balance, turmeric shines even brighter.
Its active compound, curcumin, helps regulate inflammation in your body, which is very beneficial when the hormone level in your body is unbalanced. This content also improves the functioning of your liver function, which is important for protecting your body from many serious problems along with detoxifying excess hormones.
You can enjoy turmeric in a variety of ways—add it to curries, smoothies, teas, or even a warm glass of golden milk.
8. Green Tea
You must be aware of the fact that green tea is high in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of disease. It also works best for boosting metabolism. But this zero-calorie drink is also great for balancing hormones. It has a compound called theanine that reduces the release of cortisol in your body. You can drink one cup of green tea daily but don’t consume it in excess as it contains caffeine, which can interrupt your sleep cycle and cause related issues.