6 foods to relieve menstrual cramps effectively
If you think a woman experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms is the most formidable creature you will ever come across, then think again. PMS is the messenger of something even more dangerous. Menstruation is a natural phenomenon that every woman experiences till they hit menopause. Though menstruation is a natural process and is necessary for procreation, given a chance, women will choose to skip the entire week.

Menstruation isn’t simply a bodily process, it is accompanied by abdominal cramps, which is why women on their periods might either retreat to the comforts of their homes and binge-watch Netflix or they might always be on the edge.

Menstrual cramps occur in the lower abdomen and this throbbing can range from a dull ache to severe pain. Women experience menstrual cramps because the body produces prostaglandins, which are associated with menstrual discomfort. These chemicals are produced by the tissue that lines the uterus, and muscle contractions occur when they are stimulated by these chemicals.

Though over-the-counter medications and several home remedies help in reducing the intensity of the menstrual cramps, eating the right food goes a long way in reducing the severity of these cramps.

Read on to know more about the foods that aid in relieving menstrual cramps.

Dark chocolate
Here’s something good about dealing with menstrual cramps, you will get to gorge on a dark chocolate without feeling guilty about it. Dark chocolate has the ability to satisfy your cravings for sweets and can help your muscles relax. Moreover, with dark chocolate as your savior when you experience severe menstrual cramps, you won’t be consuming any fat or dairy that is present in other types of chocolate.

Water
You might have heard it dozens of time that drinking water has a plethora of health benefits. You can add one more benefit to the list, water helps in reducing the impact of menstrual cramps. When on period, your body loses water, and dehydration can trigger the onset of menstrual cramps. So, it is essential to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day because with enough water in the system, the body won’t retain liquids, thereby, you can bid adieu to the bloating.

Calcium
During your period, consuming calcium is essential. Calcium is instrumental in preventing menstrual cramps. However, you need to ensure that you opt for an alternative to the dairy products, as these are known to be one of the major causes of menstrual cramps. Instead of consuming dairy products, you can get the required amount of calcium from other sources like almonds, leafy vegetables, and sesame seeds.

Bananas
Bananas have proven to be quite effective in reducing the severity of muscle cramps that begin when one starts working out. So, why not use it to deal with menstrual cramps? Bananas work wonders for almost all types of cramps. Hence, consider eating bananas before or during your period to reduce bloating and to avoid painful cramps.

Beans and legumes
Not many people are aware of this, but the digestive system starts acting up during menstruation. This is why you often feel like eating something and not eating it at the same time. When on period, women are advised to consume more of fiber-rich foods like beans and legumes to soothe and regularize the digestive system. It is essential to soak the beans overnight before you cook them. Also, another major reason to include beans and legumes in your period diet is that these foods are rich in vitamin B, which helps in flushing out toxins from the body.

Salmon
We all are well aware of the various health benefits of consuming salmon. Salmon is rich is in omega-3 fatty acids and is packed with vitamin D, which incidentally, is known to ease PMS symptoms. To prevent the occurrence of menstrual cramps, it is essential to start eating salmon a week before the start of your period. As it has anti-inflammatory properties, it keeps the menstrual cramps and bloating in check.