There is, however, one food group that I consistently find interferes with my patient’s hormone goals.
It’s fruit.
I know it’s a controversial statement.
Fruit is all natural, and filled with phytonutrients and antioxidantsI get it.
Fruit-filled smoothies often contain more sugar than a candy bar!
OK, but how is fruit actually messing with your hormones?
Our bodies respond to fruit quicklyespecially when its a form of a juice for example.
First it raises your blood sugar, which then in turn raises insulin.
When insulin spikes, the body starts to rapidly absorb the sugars and store them for later.
Cortisol, a glucocorticoid (steroid hormone), is the one thats known as our fight-or-flight hormonal response.
With insulin resistance comes lower levels of SHBP and more estrogen.
Lastly, it turns out that fruit sugar (fructose) may be even worse than glucose.
It seems that the digestive tract doesnt absorb fructose as well as other sugars.
More fructose then goes into the liver.
The solution is simple.
Keep the ratio simple.
Dr. Amy Shahis a double board certified MD with training fromCornell,ColumbiaandHarvardUniversities.
She is an expert on intermittent fasting for women and hasa 2 week guided group program.
