Can women relieve menstrual cramps by eating sweets during menstruation?

　　“Girls eating chocolate or other sweets during menstruation may cause Dysmenorrhea and other discomforts, so these foods should be avoided during menstruation. ”This is a widely circulated menstrual guide. What’s interesting is that the opposite of this statement, “Eating chocolate or other sweets during menstruation can relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and make you feel better” is also very popular, making it difficult to tell whether it is true or false. Which of these two statements is right or wrong? If you want to know the impact of sweets on menstruation, you have to start with the causes of dysmenorrhea.

　　What is dysmenorrhea?

　　Menstrual pain refers to female Pain during menstruation is mainly divided into two types: primary menstrual pain and secondary menstrual pain.

　　Primary menstrual pain occurs when a woman starts regular menstruation, usually on the first or second day of menstruation, and most will resolve on its own within two or three days. This pain is caused by excessive secretion of prostaglandins during Uterus Caused by excessive contraction and vascular contracture.

　　Recurrent menstrual pain usually occurs after a woman has had no menstrual pain for a period of time, or when the original uncomfortable symptoms of menstrual cramps gradually turn into obvious symptoms. stomach ache , the pain usually starts one or two weeks before menstruation. This kind of pain usually has a pathological basis, and common causes include endometriosis. In this case, you need to seek medical treatment promptly.

　　The menstrual pain discussed next in this article is all primary menstrual pain, and the cause is not disease , but changes in hormone levels within the body and the strong contraction of muscles caused by it.

　　Sweets can relieve PMS, but have negative effects on menstrual cramps

　　One thing that all kinds of sweets have in common is their high sugar content. Relevant studies have pointed out that sugar will affect the body's absorption and metabolism of vitamins and minerals, and these two ingredients can relieve muscle tension, make the uterus contract less strongly, and have a certain effect on relieving dysmenorrhea. At the same time, carbohydrate intake increases a hormone called serotonin nerve The level of transmitters in the body has a certain effect on relieving PMS.

　　From this point of view, the legendary saying that "eating sweets can relieve the irritability and other symptoms caused by premenstrual syndrome and make you feel better" has some truth. But while PMS is relieved, dysmenorrhea does not receive the same treatment. Serotonin promotes the synthesis of prostaglandin PGE2, which is the real culprit of dysmenorrhea. Therefore, the impact of sugar on menstruation is both good and bad, and cannot be simply evaluated as good or bad.

　　Prostaglandins affect menstrual cramps

　　Prostaglandins are divided into three series. Only series two, PG2, is the main culprit in causing dysmenorrhea. It will intensify the contraction of muscles and uterus.； However, Series 1 PG1 and Series 3 PG3 are good helpers for relieving menstrual cramps. The PGE2 mentioned earlier is a member of the PG2 family.

　　An unsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid is the precursor to the "bad" prostaglandin PG2. This fatty acid is widely found in butter, corn, palm, coconut, soybean oil, and even chicken and egg among many other foods. Our favorite sweets, such as cookies, cakes, etc., must contain a lot of butter, coconut and eggs. They will increase the level of PG2 and make menstrual pain worse.

　　The composition of food is diverse, and there are many things that can relieve menstrual cramps, such as fish oil and pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds rich in linoleic acid or linolenic acid, which can promote the formation of "good" prostaglandins PG1 and PG3. Vitamins and various minerals also have the effect of reducing muscle tension and relieving menstrual cramps. Whole grains containing a lot of vitamin E and B vitamins, vegetables containing calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and fruits containing bioflavonoids and vitamin C are all good food choices. If sweets contain these nutrients, it will not only have a negative effect on dysmenorrhea.

　　Moderate amount of chocolate can relieve menstrual cramps

　　Different from other sweets, chocolate has a special effect on dysmenorrhea because it contains theobromine. Theobromine can dilate blood vessels, help the body drain water, and relieve dysmenorrhea and menstrual edema caused by insufficient blood supply to the uterus. Theobromine also promotes the increase of substances in the body that relax smooth muscles, which has the effect of relieving dysmenorrhea. If you only consider the effect of theobromine on dysmenorrhea, then dark chocolate has the best effect among all chocolates because of its high theobromine content. However, theobromine is an alkaloid. Excessive intake can cause excessive nervous excitement and may cause side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness. Therefore, even if chocolate can relieve menstrual cramps, it should not be eaten too much.

　　Iron can also help relieve PMS

　　Iron can also help cope with PMS because it promotes the secretion of serotonin in the brain, which helps regulate mood. Eating plenty of iron-rich foods like broccoli and sesame seeds can help relieve premenstrual stress. Women are less likely to suffer from premenstrual tension if they consume foods or supplements rich in non-heme iron.

　　But sweets will accelerate the aging of women’s skin

　　Another study found that the most likely cause of skin What causes aging is not sunburn or smoking, but advanced glycation end products called destructive molecules. It is a combination of excess sugar and protein that stiffens other elastic fibers in the skin, causing fine lines, spots, and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin are particularly susceptible to this damage, which accelerates especially after a woman reaches the age of 35. This means that the more your body craves sweet foods at this age, the final result is that the skin will age faster. Sweet tooth beware!

　　Sweets aren’t that scary, chocolate isn’t that magical either

　　Although sweets may aggravate dysmenorrhea to a certain extent, as long as they are moderately controlled, they are not enough to have a significant impact on dysmenorrhea. What's more, food also contains other nutrients that can relieve menstrual cramps, which can offset such negative effects to a certain extent. But sweets are not after all healthy Food, eating too much is harmful and useless, and it will also promote skin aging.

　　The most important thing is to have a balanced and comprehensive diet. Take minerals and vitamins from your diet to strengthen your body, and the bad symptoms will naturally disappear. Girls don’t need to panic too much during their menstrual period. Keep a good attitude and a healthy body. Even during these days when you are relatively unwell every month, eat a moderate amount of sweets in addition to a healthy diet. As long as you don’t overdo it, it won’t hurt. But don’t expect that these foods can completely solve the adverse reactions. This idea is very unreliable.

　　Precautions for girls during menstruation

　　1. Do a good job in menstrual hygiene: First of all, pay attention to menstrual hygiene, avoid bathing in the tub, and clean the vulva every day, one basin for each person. Underwear should be dried in the sun, ironed with an electric iron before wearing, and toilet paper should be of good quality to avoid infection.

　　2. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables: Do not drink ice water during menstruation. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and consume more high-protein substances. You can eat some chocolate or brown sugar water to lighten your mood. Don't eat anything sour or spicy.

　　3. Avoid sexual intercourse: Do not go swimming in public swimming pools during menstruation, do not blow cold wind, do not catch a cold, do not wash your hair, and avoid sexual intercourse.

　　4. Keep a happy mood: During menstruation, pay attention to keeping a happy mood and take a walk appropriately.

　　99 warm reminder from enthusiastic doctors , Only by eating a reasonable diet during menstruation can women alleviate various discomforts. Especially for sweet tooth lovers, do not think that you can eat it and just eat a lot. Pay attention to food taboos.