Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Any woman who has experienced the worst fibroid symptoms — painful menstrual cramping, agonising lower back pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bloating, constipation, frequent urination and pain during sex — understands that the uterus has a significant impact on the quality of life.
The optimal health of this predominant organ of the female reproductive system is, therefore, important for overall health, fertility and longevity.
Statistics reveal that 65% of women in rural India and 24% in urban India suffer from benign uterine fibroid.
In addition, uterine lining cancer (endometrial cancer) has emerged as one of the most common malignancies affecting Indian women.
The good news is that there are numerous uterine-friendly foods that are nutrient-rich and a catalyst for boosting the overall health of this vital organ.
Several research studies published in recent years have revealed that there is a meaningful association between dietary intake and optimized uterine wellness.
Findings indicate that our diet and other ingredients we choose to consume, not only optimize the immune system but also contain compounds to ensure optimum uterine health.
Added bonus: Sticking to a healthy diet not only improves the effectiveness of the uterus; it also influences the long-term health of the offspring. What could be better than that?
Given the evidence that specific dietary interventions may impact uterine health, on World Health Day today, we will be discussing a variety of foods that have nutritive and therapeutic effects on your uterus.
Let ‘Food be thy medicine’ for a healthy uterus
Below are some readily available and nutritious foods that make it to the top of the food list for their ability to increase your uterine health.
Nuts and seeds
If you’re serious about a uterine-focused diet and eating foods to increase its health, the two powerhouses—nuts and seeds—should be on it.
These two foods are a great source of important uterus-strengthening nutrients, such as Omega-3s, selenium, vitamin E, and magnesium just to name a few – all of which have been shown to play a crucial role in the fertility nutrient equation.
Nuts and seeds can reduce the risk of uterine fibroids and reduce the risk of uterine cancer.
The addition of these little superstar nuts — especially walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, and hazelnut nuts — along with seeds such as flaxseeds – touted as one of the most powerful plant foods available – can make any food menu abound with taste as well as pro-uterine nutrition.
Green leafy vegetables
While most of us shy away from eating leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, radish, carrot, kale, and pumpkin, yet, these veggies are a boon for your uterus health.
They maintain the alkaline balance of your uterus and provide all vital nutrients, including folic acid, to ensure that your uterus and ovaries are well-prepared to create a healthy baby.
Onion and garlic are filled with antioxidants that impart healing effects on uterine fibroids.
Additionally, the phytoestrogens that abound in vegetables like legumes, cabbage, and broccoli, aid in lowering oestrogen levels, thereby impeding the growth and progression of fibroid tumours in the uterus.
Fresh fruits
Nothing can substitute the taste and nutrition of fresh fruits.
So throw all your packaged and processed fruits away!
They contain artificial sweeteners, flavouring agents, and preservatives that create a dangerous chemical cocktail in your body.
Fresh fruits like apple, banana, orange, guava, and mango are high in fibre and they are also packed with many fertility-boosting micronutrients like vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which are helpful in shrinking the size of uterine fibroids.
Bioflavonoids not only help in keeping your reproductive system healthy but also prevent ovarian cancer.
Lemons
We all know that lemons are rich in vitamin C and a catalyst for good health and overall immunity.
But did you know that this tangy citrus fruit is a magic potion for innumerable uterine woes?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the antiseptic properties of lemon help in increasing and maintaining the uterus’ immunity.
This helps in making the organ better equipped to ward off unwanted bacteria and prevent dangerous infections to the uterus and ovaries.
Whole grains
Whole grains offer a complete package of beneficial nutrients, all found in one place.
For optimum uterine health, you should consume a wholesome and warming breakfast of whole grains like oats, barley, millets and whole wheat bread.
Apart from important nutrients, such as B vitamins, iron, folate, selenium, potassium and magnesium, whole grains are packed with dietary fibre, which not just helps maintain a healthy uterus but may also aid in treating fibroids.
Current scientific evidence indicates that whole grains also play an important role in keeping your vitals healthy and help in their optimal functioning by flushing out the excess estrogen from the body.
Final thoughts
A healthy uterus plays a pivotal role in the reproduction process.
Most health conditions in women—such as uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, prolapse, uterus pain—are associated with the uterus.
Therefore, it is essential to follow a healthy diet to supply the nutrients that are valuable not only for your overall health but for your reproductive health as well.
Also, it’s a wise move to opt for regular health checkups to keep an eye on your overall health.
These health checks enable you to keep an eye out for triggers that can take your health for a toss and take preventive measures if anything off pops up.
