It’s estimated that there are 13 million women in the UK currently going through perimenopause or menopause , and for many, the symptoms they experience, including hot flushes, brain fog and anxiety, can have a significant impact on their life. One survey, commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, found that 53 per cent of menopausal women have had to take time off work . But could something as simple as a change in diet help? Research has suggested that eating more plant-based foods could reduce menopause symptoms , with new research from King’s College London and Zoe, the science and nutrition company suggesting that consuming 30 plants a week could significantly reduce hot flushes, depression, weight gain, low libido and mood swings.
In this extract from her new book, The Science of Plant-based Nutrition: How to Enhance the Power of Plants for Optimal Health, nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert explains how. What is plant-based nutrition? The term plant-based has entered common parlance in recent years, but its meaning has become interchangeable with veganism, when in fact the term encompasses a much broader range of dietary choices. At its simplest, a plant-based diet means consuming more plants and fewer animal products, with the aim of obtaining the majority of your nutritional needs from plants and wholefoods.
And this doesn’t just mean fruits and vegetables, it also includes nuts, seeds, wholegrains, legumes and beans. Following a plant-bas.