Foods for a Healthy Vagina

You’ve probably heard of the saying, “you are what you eat” and could it be any more accurate? Your diet is one of the most crucial aspects of your health and your vagina is no exception in this regard.

Believe it or not, your eating habits are vital to keeping your intimate bits in top shape, helping to keep cramps and infection at bay and also keeping the area well-lubricated. And, your diet is essential even if you take good care of your vaginal hygiene.

How can diet help your vaginal health?

The delicate pH of your vagina is easily disrupted with the wrong kinds of food - leading to infections and other complications. A healthy diet can benefit the good bacteria that maintain your intimate ecosystem to improve the vaginal condition.

The vagina is moderately acidic - with a pH of around 4.5. This is the ideal environment for the necessary bacteria, while also making it difficult for bad bacteria to survive. Eating certain foods helps maintain this particular pH and, thus, overall vaginal health.

Best foods for a healthy vagina

Here’s a list of food that your vagina will thank you for.

• Broccoli - Flavonoids, an antioxidant required by your body in good amounts, are found in abundance in broccoli. In fact, there is also research that suggests that broccoli can help you avoid ovarian cancer to quite an extent. Overall, this is a great vegetable for maintaining vaginal health.

• Yoghurt - Being a probiotic, yoghurt contains live bacteria in it. And, this is good bacteria which helps keep the pH of your vagina acidic. This lowers the risk of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, maintains lubrication and keeps bad odour away.

• Eggs - Poor vaginal health has been linked to a lack of vitamin D in the body, making you more susceptible to vaginal infections. The egg yolk is rich in vitamin D, making eggs an excellent food for keeping vaginal infections at bay.

• Cranberry juice - According to research, drinking cranberry juice can lower your risk of UTIs. This is because cranberries contain antibacterial components like organic acids and antioxidants which are great at fighting and preventing UTIs.

• Lemons - Lemons are acidic, which contributes to the maintenance of your vagina’s pH level. Also, the antioxidants present in lemon act similarly to cranberry juice and can help combat UTIs. The ascorbic acid in vitamin C lowers your risk of vaginal infections, as found across studies.

• Garlic - The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of garlic can help with a lot of vaginal discomforts like burning, odour, itching, excessive discharge and even UTIs. You can either eat garlic raw or add it to your cooked meals. There are also garlic tablets available in the market which is a good option for those who don’t like this vegetable.

• Flaxseeds - Many vaginal issues like burning, itching or dryness can be relieved by eating flaxseeds. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and phytoestrogens, which are great at relieving these menopausal symptoms.

• Avocado - This fruit contains healthy monosaturated fats which boost your hormone levels to assist vaginal lubrication. The potassium and vitamin B6 contents of avocados also promote vaginal health. As a bonus, it can also help manage PMS symptoms like fatigue and bloating.

• Ginger - The antibacterial properties of ginger can assist in warding off vaginal infections. Further, while this one’s not directly related to vaginal health, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can also assist in reducing cramps.

• Soy - Phytoestrogens are compounds found in soy, which mimic the hormone estrogen in the human body. For people with reduced estrogen levels, soy can prove to be beneficial and relieve menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness.

Bottom line

Your vagina has a delicate pH that can easily be disrupted. Eating healthily is one of the best ways to maintain the acidic level of your vagina and lead to a healthy ecosystem where good bacteria can flourish and protect you from infections and other symptoms.