logo
Top 10 Expert-Recommended Summer Foods To Naturally Balance Your Hormones

Top 10 Expert-Recommended Summer Foods To Naturally Balance Your Hormones

News1811-05-2025
Last Updated:
Dietitian Manpreet Kalra recently shared a video on Instagram, listing ten foods that can help naturally improve hormonal balance.
From mood swings to irregular periods and a sudden increase in weight, it all depends on hormonal balance. The body's natural messengers, hormones, have an impact on almost everything, be it physical or mental well-being. To ensure that your metabolism and reproductive health are on track, it becomes necessary to keep your hormonal balance in check. The good news is that all you need is a healthy diet to fix the imbalance, especially when the weather is hot.
Recently, dietitian Manpreet Kalra shared a video on Instagram, listing ten foods that can help naturally improve hormonal balance. According to the expert, incorporating hormone-friendly foods like watermelon and buttermilk into your daily routine can help in improving energy, mood, digestion and skin.
A natural body coolant, gond katira helps regulate internal heat. It particularly helps stay calm during summer and also keeps joints in better shape by reducing inflammation and aiding lubrication.
Sabja (Basil) Seeds
Packed with dietary fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, basil seeds are excellent for gut health. Not only does the food item reduce inflammation, a key issue in conditions like PCOS and hormonal acne, but also supports hormone production.
Lemon Water
A simple glass of lemon-infused water can detoxify your liver, an essential organ for hormonal processing. The alkalising effect of the water helps keep your body's internal ph in check and maintain stability.
Jaljeera
This tangy, spice-filled drink is the favourite of all desis. Made using cumin, mint and black salt, jaljeera improves digestion and reduces bloating. Further, it supports hormonal function through the gut-brain axis.
Watermelon
Want to keep yourself hydrated? There is no better alternative than watermelon. Loaded with antioxidants, the sweet fruit combats oxidative stress and cools down the body temperature. The high water content makes it a natural choice to prevent dehydration-related hormonal issues, supporting better hormonal health.
Buttermilk (Chaas)
Also known as chaas, buttermilk's probiotic content introduces beneficial bacteria to your digestive system. Consuming the drink not just ensures overall wellness but brings your body some much-needed cooling relief.
Jowar (Sorghum)
This gluten-free grain stabilises blood sugar levels, thanks to its low glycaemic index. It is a smart pick to keep blood sugar levels stable and fight diseases like thyroid disorders. The good mix of protein and fibre present in it also helps you feel satiated for a longer duration.
Gulkand (Rose Petal Preserve)
Made from rose petals and sugar, gulkand has a cooling effect on the nervous system. It is said to help lower cortisol, the stress hormone, bringing emotional and hormonal relief.
Jamun (Indian Blackberry)
The low glycaemic index of jamun helps regulate blood sugar, which is vital for hormonal health. It is packed with antioxidants and compounds that help fight against inflammation linked with hormonal disorders.
Mango
top videos
View all
Rich in vitamin A and fibre, mangoes promote hormone synthesis and skin health. They aid in estrogen regulation.
Incorporating seasonal, cooling foods into your summer routine doesn't just help beat the heat; it can also support hormone functioning. These ten nutrient-dense choices are simple, delicious and effective when it comes to feeling balanced and energised throughout the season.
First Published:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hormonal causes of hair loss in women and how to manage them
Hormonal causes of hair loss in women and how to manage them

Time of India

time6 hours ago

  • Time of India

Hormonal causes of hair loss in women and how to manage them

Hormonal imbalances are a common cause of hair loss in women. Key hormones like androgens (including DHT), estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and insulin all influence the hair growth cycle. When these hormones are too high or too low, they can disrupt the normal growth and shedding of hair, causing thinning and hair loss. Factors such as menopause, stress, thyroid issues, PCOS, diabetes, genetics, and certain medications often trigger these imbalances. Understanding how hormones affect hair and addressing the underlying causes can help manage hair loss and promote healthier, fuller hair. How hormones affect your hair growth Many people try quick fixes and believe common myths about hair loss without understanding the real causes. In reality, hair naturally grows in cycles: a growth phase (anagen), a transition phase (catagen), and a resting or shedding phase (telogen). According to research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, hormones play a key role in controlling how long each phase lasts and how healthy the hair follicles remain. When hormone levels, such as DHT, estrogen, or cortisol, are out of balance, they can disrupt these cycles, leading to thinning hair and increased shedding. Knowing the truth about hormonal effects helps in managing and treating hair loss effectively. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): This androgen hormone, a derivative of testosterone, is known for its role in male characteristics but is also present in women at lower levels. According to a study published in the National Institutes of Health, excessive DHT can shrink scalp hair follicles, shorten the growth phase, and lengthen the shedding phase. This leads to thinning hair, especially at the crown and along the part line, a condition called female pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia. Estrogen: Estrogen supports the anagen phase, helping hair stay in the growth cycle longer, which promotes thicker and longer hair. It also blocks testosterone from converting into DHT within hair follicles. When estrogen levels drop, such as during menopause, hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase, leading to hair thinning and increased shedding. Progesterone: This hormone regulates menstrual cycles and supports pregnancy. Like estrogen, progesterone helps inhibit the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Low progesterone can indirectly raise DHT levels in the scalp, contributing to hair loss. Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol spikes during emotional or physical stress, triggering a form of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. High cortisol levels push hair follicles into an extended resting phase, causing noticeable hair shedding and thinning a few months after a stressful event. Thyroid Hormones: The thyroid gland produces hormones vital for metabolism and overall bodily function, including hair follicle health. Both hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone) disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing hair to become brittle, thin, and prone to shedding. Insulin: Insulin regulates blood sugar by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. Insulin resistance or deficiency leads to elevated blood sugar levels, damaging blood vessels and reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to hair follicles. This impairment can slow hair growth and promote hair thinning. Insulin imbalances may also increase DHT production, further exacerbating female pattern hair loss. What causes hormonal imbalance and hair loss? Several health and lifestyle factors contribute to hormone-related hair loss in women: Menopause: During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels decline sharply. This hormonal shift shortens the hair growth phase and permits more testosterone to convert into DHT, increasing the risk of female pattern hair loss. Stress: Physical or emotional stress elevates cortisol, which can cause telogen effluvium, a temporary but often significant hair shedding occurring several months after the stressor. Thyroid Disease: Both overactive and underactive thyroid conditions disrupt hormone balance, leading to hair thinning. Thyroid medication may help restore hair growth, though some drugs can initially worsen hair loss. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS raises androgen levels, including DHT, leading to hair loss primarily on the front scalp and temples. Medical treatment of PCOS often improves hair regrowth. Diabetes: Poor insulin regulation in diabetes can reduce nutrient flow to hair follicles, causing thinning and hair loss. Genetics and Aging: A family history of female pattern baldness increases susceptibility to DHT-driven hair loss. Aging naturally shifts hormone levels, potentially worsening hair thinning. Hormonal Birth Control: Some birth control pills with higher androgenic activity may worsen hair loss in women already sensitive to DHT. Managing hormonal hair loss: key lifestyle tips for healthier hair and hormone balance While hormonal hair loss is not always preventable, certain lifestyle and medical strategies can help manage symptoms and promote healthier hair: Reduce Stress: Incorporate stress-relieving activities such as meditation, yoga, hobbies, or spending time outdoors to lower cortisol levels. Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating nutrient-rich foods supports hormone production and overall health. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate hormones like insulin and reduces stress. Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep nightly to support hormone balance and recovery. Some women may need medical help to balance hormones and reduce hair loss. If you notice sudden or severe hair loss, bald patches, or other unusual symptoms, it's important to consult your healthcare provider promptly. Early diagnosis can help identify any underlying hormonal issues and guide you toward the right care. Understanding that hormonal imbalances often cause hair loss is the first step in addressing the problem effectively and maintaining healthier hair over time. Seeking professional advice ensures you get the appropriate support for your individual needs. Also Read: Don't eat these 5 foods if you want to stop nasal polyps from getting worse

How ovarian health impacts the body beyond fertility, and when you need to get checked
How ovarian health impacts the body beyond fertility, and when you need to get checked

The Hindu

time8 hours ago

  • The Hindu

How ovarian health impacts the body beyond fertility, and when you need to get checked

For many Indian women, the twenties involve balancing studies, work, relationships and life choices, with reproductive healthcare often taking a backseat. As the reproductive timeline progresses faster for Indian women compared to other populations, this has impacts not only on fertility but also on broader aspects of women's health, say experts. 'Most women produce their best eggs in their twenties,' says N. S. Saradha, senior consultant , obstetrics, gynaecology & IVF, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. 'From there, the number and quality of eggs decline more slowly at first, but faster after 35.' S. Gayathri Devi, clinical director, institute of reproductive medicine, Rela Hospital, Chennai, says that genetics, nutrition, and environmental exposures likely speed up ovarian ageing here. 'Women in Western countries women often reach menopause at 51 or 52. In India, it's 46 to 48,' she says. 'This shorter reproductive span means we must be more proactive in checking ovarian reserves early, especially if cycles are irregular, or if conditions like PCOS, fibroids or endometriosis are present.' A systematic review of Indian studies puts the mean age at natural menopause at 46.6 years (95% CI 44.8–48.4), says Sapna Raina, senior consultant, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, a difference of three to five years from many high-income countries. 'This earlier menopause, combined with longer life expectancy, means Indian women spend more years in a low-oestrogen state. Without intervention, that can magnify the risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.' Beyond infertility: cardiac and orthopaedic risks When the ovaries fail before 40, it is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). And it's not rare. 'If your ovaries shut down too early, the issue is not just infertility,' says Dr. Saradha. 'Bones weaken faster, heart health is compromised, and you may face hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances far earlier than expected.' R. K. Vidhya Lakshmi, senior consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai, says the impact in India can be even harsher. 'Osteoporosis and heart disease are already common here, so the consequences of early oestrogen loss are amplified.' POI can be linked to autoimmune disorders (about 20% of cases), genetic factors such as X chromosome abnormalities, and certain treatments or surgeries, says Dr. Gayathri Devi. 'The good news is that timely hormone replacement therapy -- oestrogen and progesterone until the natural age of menopause can protect bones and the heart. Coupled with a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamin D, calcium, and regular weight-bearing exercise, women can preserve quality of life.' The silence around ovarian health Despite its impact, ovarian ageing has no dedicated government programme in India. It appears in broader initiatives like RMNCH+A - Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health , Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), or the National Adolescent Health Programme, family planning missions or cancer/NCD screening. 'This is an area where we need more organised national attention,' says Dr. Saradha. Professional bodies such as the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, the Indian Fertility Society, and the PCOS Society of India are filling some gaps with awareness campaigns and fertility preservation counselling. But their reach is mostly urban. 'With infertility rates projected to double in the next decade, integrating ovarian health into public health policy would be a game changer,' says Dr. Gayathri Devi. Egg freezing and fertility preservation The most effective way to safeguard fertility is to lock in eggs while they're still healthy (for individuals prioritising having biological children). 'For women at risk of losing fertility early whether due to family history, upcoming chemotherapy, or pelvic surgery, egg or ovarian tissue freezing is the best available tool,' says Dr. Saradha. Oocyte and embryo vitrification are now standard in India, offered widely in fertility clinics. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), once experimental, is increasingly available for cancer patients and even prepubertal girls, says Dr. Raina. In some cases, OTC can restore hormone function after reimplantation. Dr. Vidhya Lakshmi notes that experimental drugs rapamycin which may slow cellular ageing and regenerative approaches like platelet-rich plasma injections or stem cell therapy are still in research phases. 'They're promising, but not yet ready for everyday clinical use.' Understanding ovarian timelines Unlike cancer screening, ovarian health checks are not a routine part of annual exams. But for women with risk factors such as a family history of early menopause, irregular periods, prior ovarian surgery, severe endometriosis, autoimmune disease, smoking, or severe malnutrition experts advise starting with a baseline ovarian reserve assessment in the late twenties to early thirties, using an AMH blood test and an antral follicle count scan. If results are normal and there are no additional concerns, the test can be repeated every two to three years; if the reserve is borderline or low, annual follow-ups combined with fertility preservation counselling is recommended. Depending on individual circumstances, additional screening for thyroid function, vitamin D levels and insulin resistance may also be helpful. In the years leading up to menopause, bone density scans and cardiovascular risk profiles become important for guiding preventive care. 'Ovarian reserve testing isn't needed for every woman,' says Dr. Raina. 'It's most useful if you're delaying pregnancy or have risk factors. The goal is to use this information to make informed choices, not to create panic.' The conversation about fertility and ovarian health in India has often been couched in societal timelines marriage, childbearing, family expectations. But knowing your biology is about your timeline. 'It's better to act early with proven methods than wait for experimental ones,' says Dr. Saradha. Experts say, 'Every woman deserves the knowledge and tools to decide if, when, and how she wants to become a mother or not at all. That starts with understanding that the ovary has its own clock and that clock is different for Indian women.'

Breathing Inequality: Air pollution's disproportionate impact on women
Breathing Inequality: Air pollution's disproportionate impact on women

Time of India

time10 hours ago

  • Time of India

Breathing Inequality: Air pollution's disproportionate impact on women

Air pollution is an insidious global threat, yet its impact on women's reproductive health in India remains significantly overlooked. Across both urban and rural landscapes, women are continuously exposed to an invisible but relentless threat to their health through the very air they breathe. While much of the conversation around pollution centers on lungs or heart disease, emerging global evidence shows that air pollution is deeply entangled with hormonal imbalances, ovarian dysfunction, miscarriages, and disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite being one of the most adversely affected nations in terms of poor air quality, India largely ignores this link in research, policy, and public awareness. Women in India are particularly vulnerable to this threat, not only due to their physiology but also because of their social roles and working conditions. Those from lower-income households continue to rely on unclean fuels like firewood and dung cakes for cooking, exposing them to high levels of indoor pollutants. Others, including migrant and informal workers, spend long hours outdoors in urban areas where fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations regularly exceed international safety thresholds recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The transition between indoor and outdoor environments does not offer protection, it only extends the duration and variety of exposures. This double burden places women at an elevated risk of long-term reproductive harm, a reality that is rarely acknowledged in mainstream discourse. Scientific studies from across the world have revealed how pollutants such as PM2.5, black carbon, benzene, and dioxins can interfere with the endocrine system, disrupt estrogen and progesterone levels, and cause oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. These disruptions contribute to hormonal disorders and reduce ovarian reserve, making conception difficult and increasing the risk of pregnancy complications. Among these, PCOS, a condition marked by irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalance, and cysts in the ovaries, is now being increasingly studied for its link to air quality. Pollutants can trigger mechanisms that exacerbate or even initiate this disorder, yet India still lacks original epidemiological studies exploring this association within our own populations. While global estimates suggest that PCOS affects anywhere between 4% and 21% of women, Indian studies indicate an even wider range, from 2% to as high as 35%, depending on region and diagnostic approach. A recent survey among college-going women in Delhi NCR found a prevalence of 17.4% in the 18–25 age group, double the pooled national average for that demographic. Despite Delhi's notorious air quality and chronic exposure to PM2.5 levels often five to ten times above the WHO recommended limits, there is still no published research examining the direct link between this exposure and PCOS or other reproductive disorders. Most studies from India continue to focus on prevalence and sociocultural risk factors, while neglecting pollution as a possible driver for PCOS. This silence can be costly. The WHO recommends that annual average PM2.5 exposure should not exceed 5 μg/m3, and daily levels should stay under 15 μg/m3. While according to recent Lancet Planetary Health study the entire population of India lived in areas where annual PM2.5 consistently exceeded the WHO guideline, and over 80% lived in areas above national guideline. Much of this pollution comes from incomplete combustion processes, industrial activities, outdated vehicles, biomass use, and open waste burning. For most of the year, residents breathe air that would be deemed hazardous in almost any other country. For women, this chronic exposure may be just as dangerous as cigarette smoking, which is already linked to infertility, miscarriage, and reproductive organ damage. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health also showed an association between maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and pregnancy loss (i.e., stillbirth and miscarriage) in South Asian countries. More alarming is the growing body of international evidence showing black carbon particles lodged in placental tissue. These particles, often bound to co-pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins, can travel from the lungs into the bloodstream and reach the uterus, compromising fetal development. A study published in Nature Communications provided the first direct evidence that black carbon particles from air pollution can be detected on the fetal side of the human placenta, highlighting the impact of air pollutants on women and childbirth. Pollutants from vehicular emissions, waste burning, and industrial activity are also known to mimic estrogen, hijacking hormonal signaling and triggering a host of reproductive and developmental problems. The main challenge, however, is that although a few health datasets are available, there is still a lack of well-established, consistently maintained, and nationally accessible electronic health records (EHRs) that researchers can utilize, particularly for studying pregnant women's health in India . In contrast, India lacks a robust, integrated health data management system, underscoring the need for stronger government intervention. Improved health data infrastructure is essential to support research on air pollution exposure and its health impacts, particularly to protect vulnerable populations from disproportionate exposure and associated health risks. This is a critical gap, especially in a country where both air pollution and women's health inequalities are so widespread. Protecting women's reproductive health in India requires urgent attention to the growing evidence linking air pollution to hormonal and reproductive disorders. Policy responses must go beyond urban planning and vehicle emissions to include a gender-sensitive public health strategy. This will improve the diagnosis rate of PCOS and other women's reproductive health issues attributable to air pollution, thereby protecting women, especially during pregnancy. It will also aid informed decision-making to protect vulnerable women and guide actions related to air pollution. Reducing exposure to harmful particles is not only a climate and development imperative but also a national responsibility to safeguard women's well-being and secure the health of future generations. We cannot continue to ignore the silent damage caused by toxic air on women's reproductive health. Authored by: Manisha Mishra- Assistant Professor, School of Climate Change and Sustainability , Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India, and Nidhi Shukla- Doctoral Research Scholar, Department of Population Health Sciences, Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester , UK. How air pollution impacts our body

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store