Word on the street is that having a steak on the first day of your menstruation, can help with your period cramps, as well as other PMS symptoms.
True, false, myth, fact, what's the verdict?
Based on viable sources, it doesn't directly cure your cramps, but it can help your body in a few ways.
Steak is red meat, which is high in iron. Since period makes you lose blood, lowering iron, eating it can help with fatigue, dizziness or worsening PMS symptoms.
It also has proteins and vitamin Bs. These support energy levels and muscle repair, which can help you feel less sluggish, and more equipped to go through the pain.
However, at the same time, it can make things worse for some people.
For instance, steak is high in saturated fats, and fatty foods can increase prostaglandin production. This is a hormone-like chemical that can cause one's uterus to contract further.
Besides that, it can also be an inflammation trigger, because steak is heavy and greasy--causing people to feel more bloated and worse.
So, there is no one way about it, but here is a list of foods that research says, actually helps:
- Foods that relaxes the muscles like dark chocolate, nuts, and leafy greens
- Foods that can reduce cramp severity because they're anti-inflammatory like salmon, tuna and chia seeds
- Foods that are high in hydration and are warm like ginger tea and soups
