now you know the saying, you are what you eat ? it is true. you are indeed what you eat or rather your peach is what you eat.
keeping the balance
now as we all know, an unbalanced PH is the breeding ground for harmful bacteria. when you hear PH balance, the first thing that comes to mind is science and chemistry (well I know I did think it was too chemistry-y)
Unbalanced pH can come in various ways, but it all balls down to feeling different down there than you would on a normal day. some of the symptoms are thicker than normal, unusual coloured discharge, a funky smell, irritation and others. now when is your vaginal PH balanced, you ask ? well a balance vaginal PH ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. the moment it strays out of balance for too long, bacteria has a chance to thrive and cause discomfort — or UTIs.
Proper vaginal care, such as good hygiene, safe sex, and regular gynecological visits, all play a role in keeping your pH in check.
But the easiest ways to promote health down there 🍑 is.......*drumroll & confetti please* FOOD!!!
Here are eight foods that work in favor of your overall vaginal health - vulva, vagina, walls and all.
1. cranberries help tackle UTIs
fresh cranberries or 100% cranberry juice (not the sweetened stuff) are full of antioxidants and acidic compounds, which are powerful infection fighters that can help bacteria from adhering itself to your bladder wall. studies have shown that cranberries can be especially beneficial in preventing UTIs in women with recurrent or recent UTI issues.
pro tip: fresh cranberries or 100% cranberry juice only. Go for natural and sugar-free juice varieties because the ones loaded with sugar will do more harm than good to your peach 🍑
cranberries for vaginal health
- contain powerful acidic compounds to fight bacteria
- contain antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C to boost your immunity
2. eat more sweet potatoes for fertility
not only are sweet potatoes yummy, they are loaded with amazing health benefits, particularly for women trying to conceive. they are rich in beta carotene and vitamin A & sweet potatoes help strengthen and protect the uterine walls. beta carotene and vitamin A have been studied to have direct effects on fertility and reproduction fertility and reproduction in both men and women, as well as healthy fetal development
The nutrients found in sweet potatoes also help with the production of sex hormones and are often recommended for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
sweet potatoes for vaginal health
- contain high amounts of vitamin A, which is linked to fertility
- can help strengthen muscle tissues for healthy vaginal and uterine walls
3. probiotics introduce good bacteria down there, too
probiotic-rich food, such as natural yogurt, are good for more than just your gut. they balance your pH level and help ward off infections
the live and active cultures in these foods provide our bodies with a boost of good bacteria, which is particularly helpful in preventing yeast infections.
probiotics for vaginal health
- can balance pH levels and introduce more “good” bacteria
- can help ward off infections and prevent yeast infections
4. plant fats for better circulation and sex drive
omega-3 fatty acids help with circulation and blood flow, which is good news for your sex drive. these essential fatty acids, as well as others found in sea buckthorn oil, like palmitoleic, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic, were shown in a 2014 study to help with vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.
menstrual cramping getting you down? studies have also shown that fish oil can ease severe dysmenorrhea more effectively than ibuprofen.
plant fatty acids for vaginal health
- treat painful menstrual cramping more effectively than ibuprofen
- promote circulation and may relieve vaginal dryness
Pro-tip: Find these essential fatty acids in oily fish (such as salmon), flax seed, eggs, walnuts, and more.
5. An apple for orgasms
an apple a day keeps the doctor away… and keeps things more interesting in bed apparently! a study in 2014suggested that women who ate an apple once a day had better sex lives. one phytoestrogen phloridzin found in apples is thought to promote better sexual function, arousal, lubrication, and ability to orgasm.
bonus: women who consume two or more servings of citrus fruit per day are less likely to develop uterine fibroids.
apples for vaginal health
- contain the phytoestrogen phloridzin and antioxidants, which help stimulate vaginal blood flow
- promote better sexual function, lubrication, and ability to orgasm
6. soy to help decreasing estrogen levels
soy can be a bit of a controversial topic. But the phytoestrogens — compounds that mimic estrogen in the body — found in soy are good news for vaginal health, especially in people with reduced estrogen levels. there are many different reasons for decreased estrogen levels in the body, from medications to menopause, but one of the symptoms is vaginal dryness.
so here’s how soy helps: minimally-processed soy products are hydrophilic (which allows your muscles to retain more water) and contain isoflavones (a plant-derived phytoestrogen) that have been studied to be beneficial for the skin in postmenopausal women.
soy for vaginal health
- contains plant-derived phytoestrogen beneficial to women with decreased estrogen levels
- can help with vaginal dryness and benefit skin and blood vessel health in postmenopausal women
7. avocados for your womanly walls
your favorite toast topper is also great for your sex life — who knew? avocados are ample in healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium — all of which have positive effects on your libido. this libido-boosting fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) can enhance lubrication and estrogen levels, strengthen vaginal walls, and may even increase IVF success due to its unsaturated fats. funny enough, the avocado tree was actually loosely named the “testicle tree” by the Aztecs.
avocados for vaginal health
- contain libido-boosting healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium
- can enhance lubrication and strengthen vaginal walls
8. leafy greens help decrease vaginal dryness
what are leafy greens not good for?! add vaginal health to their long list of health benefits. dark leafy greens are blood-purifying and enhance circulation due to their many nutrients, including dietary nitrates. this can help prevent vaginal dryness and increase stimulation, which is never a bad thing.
these greens are also rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, all of which are beneficial to muscle health — including vaginal muscles.
leafy greens for vaginal health
- are naturally blood-purifying and enhance circulation
- prevent vaginal dryness and increase stimulation
pro-tip: Think green and include more kale, collard greens and spinach in your diet.
before sex, stay away from foods that make your pee smell.
As to what not to eat? The general rule of thumb is to skip foods with added sugars and trans fats, as well as any processed foods.
If you’re planning on having sex (especially oral), you may want to avoid eating asparagus, a common culprit for temporarily altering the scent of your pee.
source: healthline