Plums And Estrogen: How can a Plum affect your hormones
Most often than not, people with hormone imbalances and people that try to maintain their body in a healthy state will pay attention to the foods they eat, giving birth to one of the most important questions (no pun intended) : “Will this Plum affect my estrogen levels ? and if so, how ?”
Before we get into the effects of Plums on your estrogen levels, we need to understand what estrogen really is.
What is estrogen and how does it affect your body ?
Estrogen is one of the hormones that promotes both reproductive and sexual development.
While a hormone like estrogen will always be present in both men and women of all ages, women that are in their reproductive age will have much higher levels.
Estrogen promotes the development and maintenance of female characteristics, it also helps you keep a regulated menstrual cycle, which is why it’s beneficial to ask yourself questions like : how will this Plum affect me ?
Nevertheless, estrogen levels decline throughout menopause, leading to symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes, for this reason we need to look at two important definitions before learning about the effects of Plums.
What are Phytoestrogens ?
Phytoestrogens are compounds that occur naturally in plants (fruits, veggies, grains, etc.), their structure is similar to estrogen, consequently they have the ability to bind to the same receptors as estrogen.
When eating phytoestrogens, our body can respond as if it’s our own natural estrogen.
What are Lignans ?
Lignans are a category of phytoestrogen that is most often found in grains, nuts, seeds, tea, plants and wine. Their most beneficial quality is their antioxidant effect. Bacteria that naturally occurs in your body can convert lignant into estrogen.
The effects of Plums on your estrogen levels
Q : Are Plums high in estrogen ?
A: Plums are known to be high in phytoestrogen, which leads to estrogen increase in the body.
Q : What does Plum do to hormones ?
A: Plums may boost adiponectin, a hormone known to play a key role in blood sugar regulation.
Q: What can Plums do to females ?
A: Plums are high in phytoestrogen, which tends to bind to the same receptors as estrogen, thus increasing your estrogen levels. They may also improve your immunity, help you have regular bowels, maintain your eyesight and protect your hearth.
Q: What can Plums do to males ?
A: Plums may improve your immunity, help you have regular bowels, maintain your eyesight and protect your hearth.
Q: Why is it good to eat Plums ?
A: Plums are known to lower blood sugar, they are high in antioxidants and can relieve constipation.
Q : What are the side effects of consuming Plums ?
A: Eating plums in large quantities can lead to flatulence, indigestion and bloating.
What do Plums contain ?
One average-sized plum contains :
- Calories: 30
- Carbs: 8 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugars: 7 grams
- Potassium: 3% of the RDI
- Copper: 2% of the RDI
- Manganese: 2% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 5% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 10% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI
Are phytoestrogens and lignans dangerous ?
Phytoestrogen-rich foods can usually be safely consumed in moderation, as the benefits will likely outweigh the potential risks.
Also, contrary to what most people think, it has been demonstrated in studies that phytoestrogens have no effect on human male sex hormones.
The bottom line
Phytoestrogen is easy to find in a huge variety of plant foods.
In order to boost your estrogen levels, you can moderately incorporate phytoestrogen-rich foods into your diet.
In most cases, there are either no risks or the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Eating Plums in moderation is unlikely to harm you.