Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms many women face during menopause, and with summer approaching, these symptoms can feel even more intense. However, the answer to cooling down could be sitting in your fridge or your fruit bowl.
Experts say that enjoying just one refreshing summer fruit could help take the heat off and bring some much-needed comfort this season. Dr Emma Derbyshire, Public Health Nutritionist and adviser to Love Fresh Berries, shared: “Strawberries are often regarded as a key food for menopausal women. They provide key nutrients that are important for general health and well-being.”
What causes hot flashes and night sweats?
Hot flushes and night sweats, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are the most well-known symptoms of menopause. This includes feeling an intense heat and becoming flushed or drenched in sweat.
During a hot flush, people may experience dizziness and heart palpitations. Flushes and sweats can occur spontaneously and can be triggered by different common situations.
According to My Menopause Centre, these symptoms are likely triggered by oestrogen fluctuations. “This results in a change to the temperature regulation in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, so that small changes in the environment around you can trigger an extreme reaction.
“This is called a narrowing of the thermoneutral zone. Other factors in the nervous system are likely to be involved, including serotonin and noradrenaline.”
How strawberries help with menopause
Starwberries are bursting with antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols. These antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain and brain fog.
Summer fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are packed with powerful compounds that help support hormonal balance and fight inflammation, making them a sweet and healthy way to feel good.
According to experts at Versalie, berries are beneficial as they are low in sugar and are a great source of fibre. They shared: “Fibre can help you balance your blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight during menopause.
“During menopause, eating more fibre can help you feel full and satiated. It can also help with digestion, which can slow down during menopause.
“Eating berries can also be good for your skin and joint health. They have a lot of Vitamin C, which helps make collagen and elastin. These two things help keep our skin and joints healthy, but our bodies make less of them as we get older.”
Other fruits that can aid menopausal hot flashes include citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons, reported Balyor Scott & White Health.
The experts further explained: “These fruits are renowned for their high vitamin C content, which plays a crucial role in hormone synthesis and immune function.”
