Menstruation pain, aka period cramps, is such a pain, and every woman wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. Over-the-counter medicines may relieve the pain, but having some natural drinks that help with period cramps is a much better solution.
Understanding Menstruation and Period Cramps
Menstruation is a natural and highly common process for every young woman. In this natural process, the woman's uterus lining sheds once a month. During this cycle, women feel cramps or extreme pain; hence this pain is called menstruation cramps.
Period cramps are also called dysmenorrhea and are classified from normal to extreme. The reason why period cramps occur is because of the contractions in the uterus that help the uterus line shed sufficiently.
Healthy drinks are the easiest way to deliver nutrients to the body, and for period cramps, trying out the foods and drinks that help with period cramps is the best option.
In this article, we will look into the 7 most amazing drinks that will help you deal with period cramps efficiently.
7 Drinks That Help With Period Cramps
1. Water
This might be sounding cliché, but it is valid. Keeping the body hydrated is vital for health and neglecting this point may trigger some health issues.
If you ever pray for a healthy body, then never forget to sip up now and then, especially while you are on your period. It is because water holds the power to support and improve digestion system as well as avoid bloating, one of the main culprits in flare-up period cramps.
Increasing water intake not only helps to tame period cramps but also helps in blood circulation and sufficiently delivers where your nutrient-rich blood needs to be during periods.
2. Ginger Water
As aforementioned, drinking enough water is the way-to-go solution for period cramps. However, water benefits can be multiplied if there is an addition of herbal goodness.
Ginger is a staple ingredient in every household and for good reason. Ginger is packed with healthy nutrients and period-cramp-relieving properties.
Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit the construction of prostaglandins, promote contractions, and control bloating and swelling in the stomach. Therefore, it mitigates period pain.
When you mix the ginger in the water and warm it up a little, it becomes one of the best hot drinks that help with period cramps.
3. Celery Juice
It is a universal fact that, in some way or another, leafy green veggies deliver lots of benefits to the body, thus ensuring one’s health.
The reason celery juice is in the top 3 drinks that help with period cramps is that celery has various vitamins, viz., A, D, E, K, and B.
What’s more, it has magnesium, which works as an aphrodisiac and greatly assists in alleviating pain during periods. Celery juice helps remove toxins from the body and supports reproductive health.
4. Carrot Juice
During this period women tend to lose blood, which can lower the iron level as well as cause anemia. To prevent that, drinking carrot juice is the best choice during menstruation.
Carrot juice is the best juice to drink during periods, as it is loaded with iron, and provides the necessary energy for going through periods.
Moreover, carrot juice is rich in vitamin A which can help to regulate blood flow in the course of periods.
5. Chamomile Tea
According to the research, chamomile tea has compounds that might be helpful during period cramps.
Hippurate and Glycine are the compounds in chamomile tea that relieve period cramps and calm the uterus.
Just like ginger, chamomile tea is also rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which might also be helpful in period cramps. Therefore, it is one of the best drinks that help with period cramps.
6. Peppermint Tea
To ease period cramps and settle digestive problems, sipping sips of peppermint tea is a way to go.
A fabled study conducted by SKinrange found that peppermint tea’s properties are well-known to relax stomach muscles, hence deal with contractions.
This tea helps in the reduction of the severity of menstruation cramps, and this is because of the presence of antispasmodic attributes.
Moreover, peppermint tea has an amazing and minty taste (thanks to peppermint leaves), which makes it one of the perfect drinks that help with period cramps.
7. Beetroot Juice
Healthy juices are great for injecting nutrients into the body faster. Beetroot juice boasts a variety of nutrients, including beta-carotene and antioxidants.
All of these nutrients in beetroot juice are highly useful during menstruation. This juice promotes blood flow and lessens the pain associated with periods.
What’s more, it also promotes blood circulation, which, in turn, greatly helps during periods.
Drinks To Avoid During Menstruation
Let’s move to the other side of the coin, and look at the drinks to avoid during menstruation.
Alcohol
If you are an alcoholic, then you must put an end to your fun until your menstruation runs out, as alcohol can increase testosterone and estrogen in the body, which can give you mood swings.
Caffeine
Avoid caffeine or coffee at any cost if you are menstruating, as caffeine may promote anxiety and stress. Furthermore, it can directly influence blood sugar levels, which is again not good during menstruation.
Milk
You might be wondering, "What’s bad with milk?" Well, milk is the holder of saturated fat that can potentially augment inflammation and irritation, thus worsening menstrual cramps.
Additionally, dairy products like milk contain prostaglandin, which is bad for period cramps.
Sugary Drinks
In the condition of period cramps, sugary drinks are your no.1 enemy, as they can increase energy levels in the body quickly, and decrease them quickly as well, which leaves you more fatigued and sluggish. Consequently, these drinks can create issues during period cramps.
Foods That Help With Period Cramps
1. Oranges
Oranges are one of the most exciting foods for relieving period cramps, as they are high in vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D. All of these nutrients are in favor of relieving period cramps.
2. Watermelon
This delicious, light, and sweet fruit is rich in water content, which keeps the body hydrated, and delivers natural sugar to the body. Therefore, it reduces period cramps.
3. Cruciferous Vegetables
Green cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, are one of the best foods that help with period cramps. These vegetables are high in fiber and iron, which help to deal with period cramps by strengthening the lower abdominal muscles.
4. Lemons
Not equal to oranges, lemons are also high in vitamin C, and this vitamin helps the body siphon iron from food into the bloodstream. Furthermore, lemons are great sources of fiber, which prevents muscle spasms.
What Helps With Period Cramps Other Than Drinks
Other than drinks that help with period cramps, over-the-counter medications, and home remedies can also help with menstruation cramps. These home remedies are:
1. Ayurvedic medicines
Not to mention, herbal treatment can also be immensely beneficial during period cramps. Ayurvedic treatment of Ayush for Women is proven to be super-effective in escalating a woman’s health.
This treatment not only gives relief from period cramps but also enhances women’s overall health like- fight PCOS and PCOD, maintain hygiene, increase fertility and balance hormones.
2. Heat Application
The application of heat such as heat pads or hot water bottles can give a big hand during menstrual flare-ups. It can calm the abdominal muscle and enhance blood circulation, therefore providing relief from period cramps.
2. Exercise
We know that physical activities are quite hard as periods have already destroyed your mood, but practicing mild abdominal exercises regularly as well as yoga like mudras for PCOS, are beneficial during periods.
4. Quality Sleep
Sleep deprivation can more likely make you more sensitive to pain, thus worsening the menstrual cramps. Without quality sleep, it is impossible to feel good throughout the day.
It is essentially important that you try to sleep well if you want to lessen menstrual pain.
FAQs
Q1. Which drink is effective for periods?
Increasing the water intake is one of the efficient ways to deal with periods and painful cramps. You can also try other drinks such as celery juice, carrot juice, and peppermint tea for extra benefits.
Q2. Is chocolate good for period cramps?
Yes, studies have shown that dark chocolate is rich in magnesium, which proves advantageous during periods.
Q3. Do warm drinks help with period pain?
Yes, drinking warm water during periods can ease the abdominal muscles and increase blood flow.
Q4. What drinks help period cramps?
Drinks such as water, celery juice, carrot juice, beetroot juice, chamomile tea, etc. are helpful for period cramps.
What foods help period cramps go away?
Here are some foods that help with period cramps:
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Dark chocolate
- Cruciferous Vegetables
- Watermelon
