Your body is a well-oiled machine, but sometimes, even those who need help along the way need it—especially in our intimate area, ladies. Vaginas have a rep for being an enigma, so we want to help you understand how to keep yours in a healthy, feel-good state. Everything starts with diet. Feeding your body (the” machine”) foods that it needs (the “oil”) is the first step to a healthy vagina. You may not have thought it mattered, but there is a list of foods that can help or hurt the health of your vagina. Let’s get into them.
Foods to Avoid
Fried foods
Fried foods contain a high-fat content, which can increase your risk of getting Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV, a common bacterial infection caused by an imbalance in the pH of your vagina. BV can cause itching, burning, discharge and produce a fishy odor. Limit your intake of fatty foods by choosing lean proteins and healthier cooking oils.
Alcohol
Alcohol is also not the best choice if you want to maintain a healthy vagina. Alcohol dehydrates our bodies and can get in the way of our vaginas producing its natural lubrication. A vagina experiencing dryness can cause discomfort, itching, pain, and more, according to this Cleveland Clinic article.
Refined sugars
Refined sugars are a sure way to throw off your pH balance. A healthy vagina is a slightly acidic one, and according to a Health.com article, foods like honey, sugar, white bread, and white rice can be harmful when consumed excessively.
“If you’re overeating carbs, pasta, rice, and sweets, you may have an overgrowth of candida in your gut and in turn an overgrowth of candida in your bloodstream”, says Zuleika Tavares, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.
Foods That Help
Water
H20. Your vagina is a mucus surface, the same as the inside of your mouth, so the better hydrated you are, the better hydrated those membranes are going to be. And while some strong-smelling foods can translate into a stronger-smelling vagina, water can help bring things back to whatever is normal for you.
Probiotic-rich foods
Probiotics are good bacteria in your digestive system; many would argue that your immune system starts with them. Think Greek yogurt, kimchi, soy in many forms, tofu, sourdough, and kombucha. These are all foods that contain the excellent, helpful microbes our bodies and vaginas use to maintain a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in our body, per WebMD. Bonus points, foods like edamame and other soy products can help keep your vagina lubricated, which wards off itchiness, infection, and other problems. Aim for a half-cup of daily organic, unprocessed soy milk, beans, or tofu.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a delicious alternative to traditional potatoes; they are also incredibly effective in maintaining good vaginal health. They are filled to the brim with vitamin A, which strengthens our uterine walls and encourages the production of hormones that help us stay energized.
Cranberry Juice
100% cranberry juice helps balance the vagina’s pH level and helps fight bacteria that cause UTIs, vaginal infections and other problems. Drink a glass of unsweetened, organic cranberry juice daily to reap the benefits. You can opt to take cranberry tablets but consult your doctor first.
Garlic
Garlic. You’d think it would have the opposite effect you’d want (smelly). But on the contrary, garlic is excellent for down there because it contains antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help prevent vaginal problems, such as itching, burning, odor, discharge, and even UTIs. This pungent food also boosts the immune system, so your body is ready to fight infection. Eat two to three raw garlic cloves daily by adding garlic or its paste to your dishes and salads. If you prefer to take garlic capsules, consult your doctor first.
Encourage Vaginal Lubrication
To combat vaginal dryness as well as itching and burning, here are some foods you’ll want to sneak more of:
Kale
Kale is a rich source of vitamins A and C and helps improve blood circulation. In addition, it boosts your immunity to help keep infections at bay. Add kale to your salad, vegetable juice, or green smoothie. You can also cook it lightly and eat it as a side dish. Other green vegetables that are good for vaginal health include cabbage, celery and collard greens.
Avocado
Avocado is another food that stimulates vaginal health. The healthy fats in avocado support healthy vaginal walls and keep it naturally lubricated. Just one-fourth of an avocado daily is enough to reap its benefits.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed and other foods rich in phytoestrogens and high in omega-3 fatty acids can increase estrogen levels, which prevents vaginal dryness and other menopausal symptoms. In addition, the zinc in these seeds helps treat vaginal dryness, itching, and burning. Sprinkle about one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds on cereal, smoothies, yogurt, salads, and juices. When eating flaxseeds, make sure to drink an ample amount of water for smooth digestion.
Ultimately, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods that your whole body can benefit from. Everything you eat can help or hurt your health, so while you indulge in moderation, always remember to outweigh the not-so-good with the much better choices.
