What foods and fruits should not be eaten during menopause

Menopausal women should avoid high sugar and high-fat foods, spicy and stimulating foods, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, and high salt processed foods, and be cautious when eating hot fruits such as lychee, durian, and longan. Menopause is prone to metabolic disorders and vasomotor symptoms due to decreased estrogen levels. Improper diet may increase the risk of hot flashes, insomnia, or osteoporosis.

1. High sugar and high-fat foods

Cream cakes, fried foods, and other foods containing trans fatty acids and refined sugars can exacerbate insulin resistance. The basal metabolic rate of menopausal women decreases, and excessive intake can easily lead to abdominal obesity and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. These types of foods can also interfere with calcium absorption and accelerate bone loss.

2. Spicy and Stimulating Foods

Seasoning such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns can stimulate sympathetic nervous system excitement and induce hot flashes and night sweats. Menopausal women have weakened autonomic nervous system regulation function, and spicy foods may exacerbate symptoms of facial flushing, nighttime sweating, and vasoconstriction. Long term consumption may also damage the gastrointestinal mucosa.

III. Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol can interfere with the liver's metabolism of estrogen, exacerbating hormonal fluctuations. Blood vessel dilation after drinking alcohol may induce severe hot flashes, while inhibiting the central nervous system and exacerbating sleep disorders. Long term alcohol consumption can accelerate calcium loss and increase the risk of fractures.

4. Caffeine drinks

Caffeine in strong tea and coffee has a diuretic effect, which may exacerbate calcium excretion. Its neural excitatory effect can interfere with the sleep cycle and exacerbate the common symptoms of difficulty falling asleep during menopause. Daily intake exceeding 300 milligrams may induce discomfort such as palpitations.

V. High salt processed food

bacon and cured products contain a lot of sodium ions, which may aggravate water sodium retention and cause edema. A high salt diet can raise blood pressure and increase the burden on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. Excessive salt content can also accelerate the excretion of calcium in urine, forming a vicious cycle with menopausal osteoporosis.

Sixth, Hot Fruits

Tropical fruits such as lychee and durian have high sugar and calorie content, and excessive consumption may exacerbate the common symptoms of dry mouth and tongue caused by Yin deficiency and excessive fire constitution. Longan and other fruits have a warming and warming effect, which may exacerbate typical menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Menopausal diet should focus on high-quality protein and calcium supplementation, with a daily intake of 300-500 grams of dark vegetables and 200-350 grams of low sugar fruits such as apples and pears. It is recommended to choose natural ingredients such as soy products and deep-sea fish, with steaming as the main cooking method. Maintaining regular exercise such as brisk walking, yoga, etc., accumulating 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week can help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Pay attention to maintaining a happy mood and avoid bad habits such as staying up late.