You probably already know that what you eat directly affects your intestinal health and metabolism, but many people don’t realize what an important role diet plays in maintaining vaginal health.
“Believe it or not, your vagina, like any other part of your body, can be dramatically affected by diet,” obstetrics and gynecology expert Sarah de la Torre, MD, tells MindBodyGreen.
She shares some nutritional secrets for women who want to have a healthy vaginal microflora and thus prevent bacterial infections.
1. Water is essential
It’s not the first thing you think of, but water is essential for vaginal health. “Consuming an adequate amount of water helps to maintain hydration throughout the body, including the vaginal tissues,” says de la Torre.
“It can also help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) by eliminating bacteria,” she adds.
This is your sign to invest in a water bottle that you love and from which you will enjoy drinking throughout the day. You can also add crushed fruits for extra flavor, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. The daily water requirement depends on each person, but most people need 1.5-2 liters.
Archive & Summer Sale: Discounts of up to 70% only in the Amalin showroom
2. Foods rich in probiotics
Since your gut microbiome and vaginal microbiome are interconnected, it’s essential to help your digestive system through probiotics, which also promote healthy vaginal flora.
“Foods that contain added sugar can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the vagina and increase the risk of candida infections,” says de la Torre. To support the good bacteria, eat foods with pre and probiotics, such as pickled vegetables or kombucha and add a quality supplement with probiotics to the list.
3. Omega-3 foods
“Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish (such as salmon and sardines), flaxseeds and chia seeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit vaginal health,” says de la Torre.
By reducing inflammation in the body, omega-3 fats help support healthy vaginal tissue (also proven in clinical studies to improve skin hydration, among other benefits for the entire body).
5 affordable eye creams that offer results as good as the expensive ones
4. Variety is essential
“Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods is important for overall health, including the health of the reproductive system,” notes de la Torre.
So while probiotics and omega-3s are great to include in your diet, try to get them from a variety of sources to make sure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients. This also helps keep cooking at home interesting.
Torre emphasizes a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. In other words, eat the rainbow – your vagina will feel amazing.
That being said, diet plays an important role in your overall vaginal health. Make sure you drink enough water, consume probiotics, prioritize micronutrients such as omega-3 and eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Photo: Freepik.com
2023-09-13 04:46:52
#foods #eat #healthy #vaginal #flora #Andreea #Raicu
