5 Foods That Will Keep Your Vagina Healthy

We’ve all heard the expression “beauty comes from within” and in reference to your glow game, hair health, and even nail health, this is a well-known fact. To put it simply: if your diet consists of burgers and fries, although delicious, your skin and hair will likely act out. But did you know that your diet can also impact your vaginal health?

According to a study published in the journal ‘Nature,’ millions of previously unknown strains from bacterial groups can not only live in the gut, skin, and mouth but also your vagina. Therefore, to maintain a happy and healthy vagina, you need to keep the bad bacteria at bay and load up on good bacteria… And the best way to do this is via your diet. Here are five food groups to incorporate into your diet to maintain a healthy and balanced vagina.

How Your Diet Impacts Your Vaginal Health 

OBGYN and Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin explains that unhealthy vaginas are “Usually a result of an imbalance of good bacteria and bad bacteria in the vagina.” A healthy vagina has a large quantity of a type of “good bacteria” named lactobacilli, a probiotic strain that protects your vagina from damaging bacteria. There are foods that contain a type of Lacto-bacteria and therefore, are seriously beneficial when incorporated into your diet.

Another factor that needs to be considered is your vaginal pH level. To help your body fend off harmful bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens, your vagina must maintain a low pH level; anywhere between 3.8 and 4.5, which is quite acidic. Adding acidic foods into your diet like citrus fruits can, therefore, allow you to maintain an optimum pH level.

OBGYN and Co-Founder of VENeffect Anti-Aging Skin Care Rebecca Booth, advises to “Keep your vagina healthy and balanced with a diet loaded with organic plant protein, organic fermented foods (such as kefir, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut) as well as prebiotic foods that support a healthy vaginal flora (such as leeks, lentils, radishes, and quinoa).”

5 Food Groups to Keep Your Vagina Healthy

1. Probiotic-rich foods: Probiotic supplements are famous for supplying your body with healthy bacteria; however, you can also add them to your diet. Greek yogurt is a rich source of probiotics as it contains Lactobacillus. According to a study published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics journal, Lactobacillus helps maintain urogenital health and plays a vital role in preventing bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis, and UTIs. Lactobacillus and Streptococcus (another good bacteria) are used to make cheese and sour cream.

2. Fermented vegetables: Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi also contain lactobacilli, which help fight off bad bacteria in the vagina. Opt for non-pasteurized vegetables, as pasteurization can kill the good bacteria.

3. Vitamin C-rich food: Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, cranberries, and other berries, help fight free radicals in the body while simultaneously removing toxins. More specifically, lemon supports a healthy vagina as its acidity helps maintain the vagina’s natural pH levels.

4. Plant-based foods: Plant-based foods like avocados, nuts, chia seeds, and olive oil help promote a healthy hormone balance, as well as regulate your body’s pH levels, keeping your vagina balanced. Avocados score extra points as they contain fats, which support strong vaginal walls to boost lubrication. Eating just 1/4 avocado is enough to reap the benefits, so try adding a 1/4 into your morning smoothie. Sweet potato is another great addition, as it’s believed to strengthen and protect uterine walls, while its high dosage of vitamin A and beta carotene have been proven to enhance fertility levels.

5. Omega-rich foods: Foods rich in omega 3 won’t just up your glow game but they’ll also boost your vaginal health. This includes foods like walnuts, salmon, sardines, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Firstly, they help increase circulation and blood flow, which can stimulate your sex drive, but they’re also believed to control odor.

Find out what your discharge says about you.