British Nutrition Foundation’s (BNF) scientific review released earlier this year, ‘The role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms: A narrative review’, explored the scientific evidence between having a healthy dietary pattern and herbal supplements in the management of menopausal symptoms.
The review found that while there is no ‘magic bullet’ when it comes to diet and supplements that could help manage all symptoms, incorporating small changes in daily eating habits to consume a healthier dietary pattern could help maintain a healthy weight and possibly help alleviate symptoms such as hot flushes.
This translates to having a diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, beans and other pulses, with a higher proportion of healthier fats from foods such as oily fish, nuts and seeds.
The BNF have more information on what a healthy, balanced dietary pattern looks like for those going through the menopause. For more evidence-based information on food, nutrition and lifestyle during the menopause, please visit: www.nutrition.org.uk/life-stages/women/menopause/.
The full review, ‘The role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms: A narrative review’ is available to read in the BNF’s international, peer-reviewed journal, Nutrition Bulletin.
Research: Yelland S, et al. (2023) The role of diet in managing menopausal symptoms: A narrative review. Nutr Bull.; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/nbu.12607.