Less Refined Sugar, Spicy and Processed Foods
People usually do not mind consuming foods that contain too much spice or refined sugar. Moreover, most people consume large amounts of processed foods. But women in their menopausal stage should minimize their consumption of foods and drinks with refined sugar and spices because they increase body temperature, which can worsen the intensity of hot flashes. Alcohol, high-sugar and high-fat foods, caffeinated beverages, and spicy foods are the common causes of severe and frequent hot flashes. Thus, they can worsen the mental and physical signs of menopause.
A study showed that postmenopausal women who maintain diets high in refined carbohydrates could increase their risk of depression. On the other hand, high amounts of processed foods affect bone health, particularly if people use these processed foods to replace the nutrients they require daily.
It is likewise vital for menopausal women to reduce their consumption of spicy, hot, and sugary foods if they want to control hot flashes. While there are benefits in adding spices, peppers, or chili powder to a meal, spicy food ingredients can widen blood vessels, which could result in flushing and sweating. Likewise, spikes in blood sugar can trigger hot flashes.
