Introduction: Bitter foods have the effect of clearing heat, and moderately increasing the intake of bitter foods can eliminate fatigue, strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite. However, experts point out that women during their menstrual period should not eat too many bitter foods.
Experts explain that most bitter foods are considered cold or cool in nature. Excessive consumption during menstruation can cause the meridians to constrict and blood circulation to be obstructed, which in turn leads to issues like difficult menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and other gynecological diseases.
Experts especially remind that even during the hot summer, women should avoid excessive consumption of bitter foods such as bitter melon, bitter greens, buckwheat, green tea, lettuce, and Kuding tea during their menstrual period. In particular, those who suffer from cold-type dysmenorrhea should not only completely avoid bitter foods during their period but should also eat less of them during the non-menstrual period. Instead, they should consume appropriate amounts of warm, easily digestible, and nutritious foods, drink more warm water to maintain regular bowel movements, and reduce pelvic congestion.
During their menstrual period, a woman's body has a greater demand for iron. Therefore, experts recommend that women should eat more lean meat, egg yolks, and animal organs (such as liver, heart, kidney, etc.) during this time to prevent anemia caused by iron deficiency.
To prevent dysmenorrhea, women should also eat more foods rich in magnesium, with seaweed being the top choice. Additionally, consuming foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts, is also very beneficial for alleviating menstrual discomfort.