Doctors long have determined that alcohol increases the body's estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.
Alcohol raises endogenous hormones (like estrogen and testosterone), which affects the growth of breast tissues and increases breast cancer risk. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 also increases with alcohol use and causes both breast tissue and breast cancer cells to grow.
Alcohol like bourbon, wine, and beer contain phytoestrogens (estrogen-mimicking substances), which can raise your estrogen levels, worsening PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroid symptoms.
This inhibition leads to a marked decrease in estrogen (estradiol and estrone) levels. Naturally occurring aromatase inhibitors include grapes, grape juice, and red, but not white wine. The aromatase inhibitory effects are attributed to wine phytochemicals and not to alcohol.
Alcohol consumption is known to affect the levels of oestrogen and progesterone significantly. Acute consumption of alcohol has been shown to increase oestrogen levels (2). Alcohol does this by slowing down the breakdown of oestrogen in your liver and upregulating the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen (3).
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have demonstrated that a polyphenol called resveratrol, which is found in red wine, peanuts, blackberries and chocolate, was able to correct hormone levels in 30 patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
The investigators concluded that red wine, but not white wine, was associated with significant effects on some indices of estrogen metabolism; free testosterone and luteinizing hormone were increased, but no significant differences were noted in estrogen levels.
In terms of lowering estrogen levels, there is no surefire evidence that any particular drink can help women balance or lower their hormone levels. In saying that, research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health that drinking green tea daily could be linked to lower levels of estrogen in post-menopausal women.
In some of the studies reviewed above, heavy alcohol consumption has been found to increase estrogen production, which should protect bone from the development of osteoporosis. Yet, despite this increase in estrogen, alcohol consumption leads to accelerated bone loss.
To increase your estrogen levels, consider adding: Boron, a mineral that helps your body absorb testosterone and estrogen. Vitamin B, which helps your body create and use estrogen. Vitamin D, which functions as a hormone in the body and helps with estrogen production.
The researchers found that red wine does indeed increase testosterone levels in individuals, mainly due to a compound known as quercetin, which partially blocks the enzyme in the body that looks for testosterone and then sends a message to the kidneys to excrete it.
This study found that chemicals in red wine (from the skins and seeds of red grapes) slightly lowered estrogen levels among premenopausal women who drank 8 ounces of red wine nightly for about a month (1).
For women, alcohol can put you at greater risk of breast cancer and negatively affect fertility. It can also increase some side-effects of the menopause. So, whatever age you are, it's important to keep an eye on your alcohol consumption and drink within the guidelines to keep risks from alcohol at a low level.
Your estrogen levels may be high because: Your body is making too much estrogen. You're getting too much estrogen in the medicine you're taking. Your body's not breaking down estrogen and removing it from your body as it should.
Too much estrogen in the body can also cause many reproductive health conditions, such as painful periods, polyps, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), dense breast tissue, fibroids and increased endometriosis pain.
Foods that lower and decrease and flush excess estrogen levels quickly include cruciferous vegetables, flaxseeds, soy, green tea, berries, and other foods. Estrogen is essential for the proper functioning of the female reproductive system, but having too much can lead to various issues.
In fact, if you're trying to balance your hormones, caffeine may be a no-go. Research shows that it can increase estrogen levels. While caffeine is known to give you a quick energy boost, it can also disrupt your hormones, particularly estrogen levels.
All sprouts, including alfalfa, broccoli, and clover, contain a compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane helps the body to flush out excess estrogen by activating detox enzymes in the liver.
If you have questions about the benefits and risks of alcohol, talk to your health care provider about specific recommendations for you. If you already drink red wine, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means: Up to one drink a day for women of all ages.
Yes, according to experts. Dr. Juliana Kling with Mayo Clinic's Women's Health Center in Arizona says that alcohol use during menopause can worsen symptoms and increase a woman's risk for serious health conditions, like heart disease and osteoporosis.
Green tea
When it comes to balancing your hormones, green tea is often mentioned. This hormone-balancing drink is one of the best things you can drink.
In addition, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans who consume alcohol do so in moderation. Moderation is one drink per day for women and two for men. While this is often considered a good rule of thumb, it doesn't necessarily mark someone who drinks more than recommended amounts as an alcoholic.