Hormones and Food: Understanding Hunger and PMS

The term ‘hormone’ originates from the Greek word ‘hormonum,’ which literally means impulse. This is fitting because hormones indeed have the ability to activate cells and organs in your body. Hormones are a powerful and unpredictable force, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be controlled. Here are several things you should know about how hormones work and what they influence.

Hormones Influence Everything

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They are produced in the endocrine glands and released into the bloodstream to reach all tissues. They affect every process in the body, including growth, mood, sexual desire, reproductive function, hunger, sleep, emotions, and metabolism. Essentially, they are messengers telling your body how to act. When hormones are not balanced, it leads to numerous health problems.

Befriend Your Hormones

Hormones have a bad reputation—people constantly complain about how they feel. When your body is balanced, you feel at your peak: fast metabolism, long and deep sleep. Pay attention to mood changes and how your hunger fluctuates to understand the language of hormones. Try drinking more water, adding fiber to your diet, and going to bed on time. Soon, you’ll notice how your balance improves.

Hormones Can Play Tricks

Sometimes hunger is not a physical need for food. It’s not about a lack of willpower. It can be the influence of hormonal ‘messages’ that cause food cravings. Do you want something dairy? Ask yourself: Do I really want ice cream, or do I just feel like I need it? It’s possible that hunger masks another need—a walk, a hug, or something else that will produce oxytocin in your body.

What You Give Your Body Matters

No one wants to be lectured, but excessive alcohol consumption affects estrogen levels, blood sugar, hunger, and bone density. According to the Global Recovery Center, consuming protein, such as in eggs and fish, can also help eliminate estrogen and balance liver function.

The Power of Sugar

Research shows that sugar is a real drug that causes addiction. The hormone insulin decides how to process energy from the food you consume and what to do with it. When we give our bodies too much sugar, insulin turns from a fat-burning friend into a fat-storing enemy. Sugar affects the pleasure centers in the brain and provides small bursts of dopamine, meaning that if you overindulge in sweets, your body will crave more to get that dose again. This leads to hormonal imbalance, causing overeating, which ultimately leads to shame and guilt.

The Impact of Red Meat

Estrogen is the hormone responsible for your female characteristics. High levels of estrogen lead to weight gain, water retention, and other health problems. One cause of increased estrogen is red meat. Red meat is filled with steroid hormones that significantly affect estrogen. Additionally, if you’re on a high-meat diet, you’re likely not getting enough fiber, which is crucial for stabilizing estrogen. If you’re struggling with unexplained weight gain, frequent bloating, and regular mood swings, consider reducing red meat in your diet.

Caffeine’s Role

Caffeine causes an increase in cortisol, a key hormone for storing fat and energy. Sometimes it’s called the stress hormone because when its levels exceed a certain threshold, it robs you of joy, disrupts sleep, and affects weight. If you’re feeling anxious, a cup of coffee is the last thing you need. Try replacing it with black tea or lemon water.

Listen to Your Body

Ask yourself questions more often. Analyze why your stomach is upset today. It might seem silly and childish, but it will help you slow down and think about what’s happening inside. Move more—exercise and even laughter stabilize hormones and create more endorphins, which lead to excellent well-being.