Aleksandra Sapozhnikova on Unsplash

They are chemical messengers that work hard to keep our vital processes running the way they should. This includes metabolism, appetite, mood, growth, reproduction, and body temperature. The endocrine glands secrete hormones. A hormone imbalance occurs when your hormone levels are too high or too low. Hormone imbalances can affect your health in a variety of ways, including unexplained weight gain, fatigue, mood changes, and skin issues, to name a few.

Hormone imbalances can occur in both men and women. Hormonal changes that are out of the ordinary and last for an extended period of time can throw your entire system off balance. Hormones are a key part of our lives, but did you know that the everyday foods you consume are one of the main causes of hormone imbalance?

Processed Foods

HamZa NOUASRIA on Unsplash

Processed and refined foods are among the worst offenders on the hormone-disrupting list. Cookies, pastries, ready-made meals, and carefully crafted sausages can contain a cocktail of sugars, sodium, and preservatives that contribute to inflammation and adrenal stress.

This added stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, creating a state of imbalance that can affect everything from metabolism to the reproductive system. Chronic consumption of these foods can also lead to unintentional weight gain and insulin resistance, among other more extreme hormone imbalances. Limiting processed foods in your diet can be an excellent first step to ensuring healthy hormone levels.

Soy and Dairy Products

Mae Mu on Unsplash

Soy and dairy are two foods that have long been touted for their nutritional benefits, but too much of either can send your hormones into a downward spiral. Soy-based products like tofu and soy milk contain compounds called phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in your body.

Consuming too many phytoestrogens can signal your body to stop making its own estrogen, which can lead to ovulation issues, among other problems. Dairy is high in calcium (and you need calcium, don’t worry), but eating too much can cause inflammation in the gut, irritate the digestive system, and even cause acne by overstimulating your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Some dairy products also contain growth hormones that directly impact your liver and hormone levels.

The Bottom Line

famingjia inventor on Unsplash

Hormonal imbalance is common for women going through puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. However, others face chronic hormonal imbalance that interferes with normal, healthy living. Stress, genetics, diseases, medicine, blood sugar levels, and, of course, diet can all be factors that cause hormone imbalances. Some foods can also overstress the body's endocrine system and harm hormone health, especially when consumed in excess.

Don’t let this scare you away from these foods, and remember, no one food is “bad.” But if you eat a lot of processed foods or load up on too much dairy or soy, it can throw your hormones out of balance. Exercise, stress management, sleep, and fueling your body with mostly whole, unprocessed foods are all important parts of supporting healthy hormones and keeping your body running smoothly. Don’t wait, today is a great day to make some positive changes to what you eat.