The worst day of the year is upon me. I will literally spend 3 hours handing out candy to the neighbourhood kiddos. Could the universe tempt me any more? Even when I'm done the 'one for you, two for me' handout, there is my own kids loot to deal with. Like me, her trick-or-treat bag is also ‘stay at home’ when she heads to school. That means it’s just me, her candy and not a ton of willpower.
I’m a sugaraholic. So, I’m sad to report that I’ve learned sugar is no friend of menopause! If fact, a diet loaded with saturated fats and sugar – we're talking fatty meats, those tempting processed pastries, fruit juice that pretends to be healthy, and yes, even those seemingly harmless condiments – can send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride.
Now, you might be thinking, "So what?" Well, this is where the hot flashes sneak in. Those spikes in blood sugar? Yep, they're one of the culprits behind those fiery moments. It's literally a party in your bloodstream. And if you've been indulging in too much sugar (we're looking at you, kiddos' candy stash), your blood sugar (or blood glucose, as it likes to call itself) goes sky high in a jiffy.
But here's the twist: those high blood sugars seem to team up with menopause discomforts. It’s the perfect storm. For those experiencing severe PMS, the sugar story is worse. High dietary sugar intake is like adding fuel to the fire, making cramps, mood swings, irritability, and depression go into overdrive. Who knew sugar could be such a drama queen?
Chronic sugar indulgence messes with your hormones. How? It pumps up estrogen and testosterone, messing with your body's natural hormone rhythm. It's like your hormones are throwing a wild party, but they forgot to invite your body's natural balance.
So, there you have it, ladies – sugar, the sly foe of menopause and the ultimate hormone disruptor! If nothing else, this will at least make you feel guilty for eating all your kid’s candy.
Source: Women’s Health Concern