Just like every other body part, the vagina has its favourites when it comes to food! In case you’re wondering what we mean by good food for your vagina, we’re talking about keeping that vaginal pH balanced!
A balanced pH level should range between 3.8 to 4.5 – the natural acidic environment keeps your vagina safe from bad bacteria, which can cause bacterial vaginosis, UTIs and yeast infections. Now, your vagina is self cleaning, yes. But it’s important to ensure that this pH stays in the healthy range in order to avoid those odours and abnormal discharge. Here’s a list of foods that can help keep your vaginal pH in check, boost your libido and help with vaginal dryness.
To Maintain Your pH Levels:
- Cranberries
Cranberries are miracle workers when it comes to UTIs. - they help prevent and cure them. They can be consumed in the form of pills, juice or as the fruit itself (though they are quite sour). In case you decide to opt for cranberry juice, make sure to pick a juice which is not too sugary – as that will defeat the entire purpose.
Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and C (that help boost immunity) and several acidic compounds that keep the bad bacteria away.
- Yogurt
Yogurt and other probiotic or fermented foods can help promote growth of good bacteria down there – ensuring a balanced pH level and preventing bacterial infections in the process. Yogurt has an added bonus – not only does it help your digestive system but it can also reduce PMS symptoms as well because it is rich in Calcium.
- Green Tea
Green tea also provides natural compounds called polyphenols and contains antioxidants that will help balance your pH levels and prevent you from developing UTIs.
For that Libido Boost:
- Apples
Apples are rich in antioxidants and contain phloridzin, which keeps things quite lively in the bedroom.. Apples help you stay naturally lubricated and promote increased vaginal blood flow, which can spark up your sex life and boost those orgasms. Guaranteed fireworks, ladies!
- Avocados
Avocados contain Vitamin B-6, potassium and healthy fats which help boost your libido, help with natural lubrication and enhance your estrogen levels. They also help strengthen your vaginal walls and alleviate PMS symptoms like bloating and fatigue. If you’re not a big fan of avocados, you can cook in avocado oil as an alternative.
To reduce Vaginal Dryness:
- Soy
Soy helps boost estrogen levels as it contains isoflavones that mimic the estrogen in the body. It also helps with vaginal dryness caused by hormonal changes by allowing your muscles retain more water.
- Fatty Acids
Fatty acids such as Omega-3 can help with vaginal dryness by promoting increased vaginal blood flow (which will also increase your sex drive, by the way!). Not only that but it also helps easing menstrual cramps. You can find these fatty acids in salmon, eggs, walnuts and flax seeds.
- Water
Water is the Holy Grail for human existence. Other than the numerous benefits of water, it is exceptionally good for vaginal dryness as it increases circulation. It is also known to prevent UTIs and maintain your vaginal pH by forcing you to pee often – eventually causing the bad bacteria to get flushed out before they find a chance to thrive in the urinary tract.
What foods to avoid:
Now that you know the good foods for your vaginal health, you must also know what to steer clear of!
- Processed Foods
Added sugars and fats are not only bad for your vagina but your overall health as well. If you’re prone to yeast infections, you definitely want to keep away from excessive sugar as it promotes yeast growth in the vagina.
- Asparagus
Even though asparagus is extremely healthy for you, it’s not the biggest turn on when it comes to oral sex – asparagus is known to make your pee stink and this smell can often end up masking your natural vaginal smell.
