Not a lot of people know that both men and women produce sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. If there is an imbalance in the estrogen and testosterone levels, a condition called gynecomastia is present. This condition is characterized by an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in testosterone level. The imbalance can be attributed to your diet. Certain medications are also said to cause the condition, as well as certain prohibited drugs and alcohol. Zeroing in on the food you eat, it is important that you know what foods to avoid. You need to know about the estrogen foods to avoid since they cause man boobs or gynecomastia.
Experts say that this imbalance in these hormones naturally occurs in infancy, then during the puberty stage, and reappears when you reach 50. However, there are certain foods that cause an increase in your estrogen levels.
Here are estrogen foods to avoid since they cause man boobs:
•Soy
Phytoestrogens are present in many different food items. Phytoestrogens bind certain tissues together. They are said to compete with estrogens but they do not inhibit the production of estrogen, in fact, it increases estrogen levels. Soy is included in this list of food items rich in phytoestrogens. You have to avoid tofu and soy-based foods and products like soy milk, soy noodles, soy yogurt, and soy cheese.
•Seeds and Dairy Products
Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and eggs promote the increase in your body’s estrogen levels so you have to avoid these, too.
•Flax Seed
Like soy, flax seed has high estrogen content which is recommended to women with low estrogen levels. However, men should also avoid this as it enhances man boobs.
•Certain Vegetables
There are veggies that you have to avoid if man boobs: beets, cucumber, alfalfa, celery, parsley, and carrots. You have to refrain from eating eggplant, potatoes, peppers, yams, and garlic.
•Fruits
When you want to get rid of your man boobs, you should minimize eating these fruits: cherries, plumbs, apples, pomegranates, tomatoes, dates.
•Beans
Aside from soy beans, the following are rich estrogen: chickpeas, navy beans, red beans, navy beans, lima beans, and lentils.
•Grains
Brown rice, oats, and wheat also promote the production of estrogen so you better make sure that you add them to your diet.
•Herbs
These herbs are rich in phytoestrogens: licorice root and black cohosh.
Aside from the above foods, you have to maintain low sodium levels. Excessive salt intake will cause more water retention that increases the appearance of your man boobs.
Aside from staying away from these foods that are rich in estrogen; you need to increase your testosterone levels. There are supplements that promote the production of testosterone: supplements that have zinc will promote the natural secretion of testosterone.
Foods that have high testosterone contents are the following: red meat, chicken, nuts.
Doctors also recommend an active sex life to increase your testosterone levels.
Knowing estrogen foods to avoid since they cause man boobs will be helpful to get rid of gynecomastia.