Menopause 
Changing diet and lifestyle habits, including the addition of fresh fruits like berries, has been shown to significantly affect the frequency and duration of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Continue reading to learn about managing and treating hot flashes with berries to naturally fight the episodes of fleeting heat.
Why Berries for Menopause Hot Flashes?
Studies have shown that one of the best ways of treating hot flashes is with vitamin C, of which berries have in abundance.
Vitamin C is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in the body and has been scientifically proven to impede the onset of various maladies associated with an age-related estrogen decline.
Also, vitamin C is one of the best antioxidants, which are nutrients that scavenge free radicals and neutralize oxidative damage.
Because the antioxidant content in berries is high, they help alleviate menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, as well as reduce cardiovascular health risks.
Moreover, since the body does not produce vitamin C by itself, it is essential to receive the correct amount of this water-soluble vitamin from one's diet.
Some of the best berries for hot flashes during menopause are the following:
Strawberries
A half cup of fresh, sliced strawberries provides over 80 percent of the DV for vitamin C, going a long way in helping the body function properly.
Blueberries
The amount of vitamin C you get from blueberries is significantly less than what you find in strawberries. However, in exchange, blueberries have incredibly high levels of antioxidants.
Raspberries
Raspberries, aside from their strong antioxidant and vitamin C content, are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
More Information
While berries make for a great addition to a healthy menopause diet, there are a variety of other lifestyle and diet changes that can alleviate hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. For more information, read all about hot flash treatments by clicking on the link.
Sources
- Doshi, S.B. & Agarwal, A. (2013). The role of oxidative stress in menopause. Journal of Mid-Life Health, 4(3), 140-146. doi: 10.4103/0976-7800.118990
- MedlinePlus. (2019). Vitamin C. Retrieved February 22, 2019, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm
- National Institutes of Health. (2018). Vitamin C. Retrieved February 22, 2019, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
- O'Mathuna, D. & Larimore, W. (2010). Alternative Medicine. United States of America: Zondervan. Available from Google Books.
- Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission. (n.d.). Health and Healing Fact Sheets: Red Raspberries. Retrieved February 22, 2019, from http://berryhealth.fst.oregonstate.edu/health_healing/fact_sheets/red_raspberry_facts.htm
