Hot flashes usually arise as a result of hormonal fluctuations. According to the MayoClinic.com, approximately 75 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes as their estrogen levels decline. These flashes vary in frequency and intensity, but symptoms may include warmth in your face and upper body, chills, perspiration, a feeling of pressure in your head, facial redness and rapid heartbeats. Less common symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, faintness and dizziness. Treatment typically consists of hormone therapy, prescription medications and avoiding trigger foods. Knowing which foods dilate your blood vessels may help you ward off unpleasant hot flashes.
Caffeine
Caffeinated foods and beverages such as chocolate, coffee and tea can trigger hot flashes. Caffeine is a stimulant that can dilate your blood vessels and increase your heart rate and blood pressure.
Spices
Reducing or eliminating spices from your daily meals can help you avoid unpleasant hot flashes. Spices such as curry, hot peppers and chili powder, can stimulate your nerve endings, dilate your blood vessels and trigger a feeling of warmth, perspiration and facial redness.
Hot Beverages
Drinking hot beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea can cause hot flashes. According to Valerie Weber, author of the book "Menopause FAQ," hot beverages can elevate your body temperature and cause your brain to send messages to the rest of your body to release heat through sweating.
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages can trigger hot flashes. According to Lavon J. Dunne, author of the book "Nutrition Almanac," alcohol can increase blood flow to the part of your brain that regulates body temperature. He further states that when your brain detects a sudden increase in body temperature, it sends a message to the rest of your body to release the excess heat through perspiration.
Sugar
Avoid hot flashes by limiting your consumption of refined sugar. According to Swami Sadashiva Tirtha, author of the book "Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets to Healing, Prevention, and Longevity," sugary foods and drinks such as sodas, candy and pastries can increase your blood sugar levels, elevate your body's core temperature, constrict your blood vessels and increase your heart rate, which can trigger hot flashes.
References
- "Woman's Guide to Hormone Health"; Ron Eaker, M.D.; 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Hot Flashes
- "Nutrition Almanac"; Lavon J. Dunne; 2008
- "Chinese Nutrition Therapy: Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)"; Jorg Kastner; 2007
- "Menopause FAQs"; Valerie Weber; 2008
- "Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets to Healing, Prevention, and Longevity"; Swami Sadashiva Tirtha; 2010
