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32 Health & Food
BALANCING HEALTH BELOW THE BELT 8 Bites for Your Bits: Your Vagina’s Favourite Foods By Tiffany La Forge & Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D.
Unbalanced pH. Sounds like chemistry class, right? Add the word vaginal, and then it’s enough to make us squirm. Literally — because when you feel different down there, like with a new odour or more-than-usual discharge, it could be a sign that your vaginal pH is off.
By Rev. Clive Forster
and reproduction in both men and women, as well as healthy fatal 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 and can help strengthen muscle tissues for healthy vaginal and uterine walls. 3. Probiotics introduce good bacteria down there, too
A balanced vaginal pH needs to stay in the range of 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. This doesn’t mean everyone should start home testing their pH every day. But if you do have symptoms of possible bacterial vaginosis, home testing may help you get diagnosed and treated more quickly. Proper vaginal care, such as good hygiene, safe sex, and regular gynaecological visits, all play a role in keeping your pH in check. But the easiest ways to promote health below the belt is food. Here are eight eats that work in favour: 1. Cranberries help tackle UTIs We’ve all heard or heeded the popular advice: Drink cranberry juice to treat UTIs. But is there any evidence to that? Fresh cranberries or 100 percent cranberry juice (not the sweetened stuff ) are full of antioxidants and acidic compounds, which are powerful infection fighters that can help bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Studies show that cranberries can be especially beneficial in preventing UTIs in women with recurrent or recent UTI issues. Just make sure you stay away from the sugar-loaded cranberry juice varieties, which can make things worse down there. Cranberries for vaginal health contain powerful acidic compounds to fight bacteria, antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C to boost your immunity 2. Eat more sweet potatoes for fertility These potatoes have some sweet benefits, particularly for women trying to get pregnant. Rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, sweet potatoes help strengthen and protect uterine walls. Beta carotene and vitamin A have been studied to have direct effects on fertility
Probiotic-rich food, such as fermented foods like kimchi and 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. Even better, calcium (greatly present in yogurt) has been shown to help with PMS symptoms. Probiotics for vaginal health can balance pH levels and introduce more “good” bacteria which can help ward off infections and prevent yeast infections. It also contains calcium (in yogurt), which can help ease PMS symptoms 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 6. An apple for orgasms An apple a day keeps the doctor away… and keeps things more interesting in bed apparently! A study in 2014Trusted Source suggested that women who ate an apple once a day had better sex lives. One phytoestrogen phlorizin found in apples is thought to promote better sexual function, arousal, lubrication, and ability to orgasm. 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 phlorizin and antioxidants, which help stimulate vaginal blood flow as well as promote better sexual function, lubrication, and ability to orgasm.
