Your cervix plays a vital role in your reproductive health. However, it can suffer disease like any other body part, and one source of potential toxins lies in the meals you choose. What are some of the best foods for a healthy uterus and ovaries?
Generally, a healthy diet rich in whole foods and low in ultra-processed products laden with additives, sugar, bleached flour and fat will benefit your reproductive health. However, some snacks help women in particular and can even address hormonal issues.
If you’re looking for some healthy foods for women to add to your meal plan today, here are the eight best diet tips to keep your cervix healthy.
The Importance of Cervical Health
Your cervix acts as a gatekeeper between your vagina and uterus, letting fluids pass through when you get your period. It also plays a pivotal role in childbirth, keeping your baby safe until it dilates to let them enter the world.
Cervical cancer was once one of the leading causes of death among women. Fortunately, improved screening techniques cut rates significantly. New treatments further slash the risk of mortality.
For example, nearly all cervical cancers result from the human papillomavirus. A vaccine prevents countless cases today, but it’s most effective if women receive it before becoming sexually active. Therefore, older women who have not been vaccinated need to pay extra attention to annual screenings, as there are often few signs before the disease progresses to advanced stages when treating it is more challenging.
Health experts recommend holistic interventions, including improving your diet to lower your risk of cervical and other cancers. What are some of the best foods for women’s health?
8 Best Foods for Women’s Health to Add to Your Diet
Some foods benefit your cervix more than others. The following healthy foods for women help other organs like your uterus and ovaries, too.
1. Dark, Leafy Greens
Dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, arugula and swiss chard contain tons of chlorophyll, one of the three principal classifications of phytochemicals that play crucial roles in human health. In particular, they’re high in B vitamins, including folate. One cup of cooked spinach contains half your recommended daily intake of this nutrient critical for neural tube development in developing fetuses.
2. Flaxseed
Flaxseed may be the best food for a healthy uterus and ovaries for two reasons. First, it’s an anti-inflammatory superpower, thanks to its high omega-3 content that tames swelling. Furthermore, flaxseeds contain lignans, plant-based estrogens that help balance female hormones.
3. Other Types of Seeds
Nearly all types of seeds contain lignans, phytoestrogens that affect female reproductive health. Increasing your consumption during menopause can help tame the hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms like mood swings that characterize this life stage.
Additionally, seed cycling helps some women with period issues. In this method, you take one tablespoon of flax and pumpkin seeds during the first 13-14 days of your cycle, switching to a tablespoon of sesame and sunflower during the latter half. Proponents claim this method takes a few months to work.
4. Yogurt
Are you making a lunchtime salad and craving creamy dressing? Substitute unflavored low-fat yogurt with herbs and perhaps a dash of vinegar. Of course, you can also eat a cup for dessert. This food is rich in probiotics that replenish your intestinal microbiome.
What’s that? It’s the beneficial bacteria in your gut that are your body’s workhorses, doing everything from aiding digestion to making serotonin. You lose the healthy kind over the years thanks to a poor diet, antibiotic or alcohol use, but eating probiotic-rich foods replenishes your stash.
5. Eggs
Eggs go back and forth reputation-wise regarding health. However, they’re a fabulous lean protein source at only 70 calories per serving. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, and many people who otherwise avoid animal products because of cruelty concerns see no problem helping themselves to the fruit from a happy backyard chicken.
6. Papaya
Your gynecologist might have told you to avoid papaya early in pregnancy. That’s because it contains a substance called papain that encourages the flow of menstrual blood. However, it’s perfect for adding to your diet if you have bad cramps, as it can help break up any clots causing pain when passing through your cervix.
7. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish are perhaps the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids because they contain the EPA and DHA varieties, while plant-based sources include only AHA. If you eat fish, two servings a week can significantly slash your risk of several diseases, including heart disease. Women have fewer heart attacks than men but are more likely to die from them because emergency doctors don’t always recognize their different physical symptoms.
8. Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables
Finally, mother nature helped human beings out with a handy color chart. The different hues in food correlate to various phytochemicals vital for health. Your job is to eat the rainbow, striving to get at least three colors on your plate at each meal to ensure you get everything you need for health.
Diet Tips to Keep Your Cervix Healthy
Many of the most healthy foods for women reduce your risk of various diseases. However, some play more important roles in your reproductive health.
Dig into these diet tips to keep your cervix healthy. By consuming more of these best foods for women’s health, you’ll feel better throughout your reproductive years and beyond.
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