Yes! It’s true!
In fact, not only can you balance hormones with carrots, you can also relieve PMS, decrease night sweats, clear acne, and balance gut flora!
It turns out that raw carrots contain very unique fibers that bind toxins, especially excess estrogen, and carry it safely out of the body. These fibers are also able to do this while NOT feeding bad bacteria in our gut, which is pretty impressive. This is important because an overabundance of bad bacteria causing havoc (aka endotoxicity, bloating, gas, constipation) in our gut overburdens the liver.
This burden often leads to a sluggish liver. Our liver is the organ that sifts through and removes excess estrogen but when it’s overburdened with toxicity from the foods we eat and the overabundance of stress in our lives, it is unable to keep up. Excess estrogen then becomes a huge problem causing symptoms like PMS, mood swings, acne, and more intense night sweats. It is also a major underlying cause for infertility.
Additionally, we are exposed to many xenoestrogens as well in our daily lives such as pesticides, plastics, and other chemicals. There are even phytoestrogens like soy that will also increase our estrogen production.
Consuming unhealthy oils like soy, corn, safflower, sunflower, and canola oil will also increase estrogen as inflammation increases in the body. The more inflammation, the more stressed the liver and thyroid become thus perpetuating a vicious cycle of hormone imbalance.
Regardless of how it happens, our estrogen levels are higher than ever before and it doesn’t just affect women. Men, especially males up to 18, face a particular dilemma with estrogen dominance including low muscle tone, erectile dysfunction, and “Moobs”.
Safely removing excess estrogen can balance hormones, improve your skin, reduce allergies, and boost a low thyroid…all with the help of the humble raw carrot.
How Can Carrots Detox Excess Estrogen?
Carrots have a very unique ratio of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps eliminate constipation, one of the leading causes of a backed up liver and imbalanced hormones. This fiber is also able to bind with excess estrogen and sweep it out of the digestive tract. It also prevents bound excess estrogen from getting reabsorbed in the gut, which can happen in people with sluggish digestion.
Hormone researcher Ray Peat found that consuming just one medium sized raw carrot a day for three days in a row significantly reduced bad estrogen.
Does this mean that carrot fiber can reduce normal estrogen levels? No. If your estrogen levels are normal then there won’t be excess estrogen in the digestive tract to bind to.
What about low estrogen levels? Will carrots further lower estrogen? Again, no. If anything, eating a raw carrot a day has the possibility of balancing out hormones back to normal levels. In fact, it is said that eating a raw carrot a day for 3 weeks has the potential to get rid of many types of hormonal imbalances including balancing thyroid function.
A fun fact, and the reason this whole article came up, is that Marilyn Monroe was known to eat a LOT of carrots with her daily evening meal.
"My dinners at home are startlingly simple. Every night I stop at the market and pick up a steak, lamb chops or some liver, which I broil in the oven. I usually eat four or five raw carrots with my meat, and that is all. I must be part rabbit; I never get bored with raw carrots."
Is this how she kept her smooth complexion and curvy figure?
Interestingly enough, when eaten daily for a number of weeks, raw carrots also have the ability to reduce serum cholesterol by 11%! This means that carrot fiber also binds to excess fat increasing its excretion by 50%! No wonder Merilyn looked so good!
The Detox Power of Carrots
Detox is such a buzz word these days. It seems like everyone is on one, some more intense than others. But guess what? Detoxing doesn’t HAVE to be intense.
Besides ridding our bodies of excess estrogen, raw carrot fiber also binds to bacterial toxins preventing them from getting absorbed.
Carrots also contain mild antibacterial properties that help eliminate intestinal inflammation and keep pathogens at bay.
You don’t need invasive procedures like suppositories and colonics or extreme cleanses to detox efficiently. Just by eating one raw carrot a day can help your body to detox naturally, improve overall health, and support the colon without extreme protocols.
Aim for one medium size carrot per day, and don’t forget, the carrot must be raw and NOT juiced (juicing removes the fiber).
Can You Balance Hormones with Carrots?- A Delicious Recipe!
Of course, eating a raw carrot as is is just fine, but for those of you who would like to spruce things up a bit you’re in for a treat!
This simple carrot salad recipe is delicious. I crave it every day now and it’s so easy! This recipe serves one.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
• One medium to large raw carrot
• Raw apple cider vinegar
(to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
or coconut oil
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Sea salt
or Himalayan salt
to taste
• A vegetable peeler
, spiralizer
, or cheese grater
You can get many of these ingredients for 25-50% retail at Thrive Market.
Loving Preparation-
• Begin by preparing the carrot. If you’re using a peeler, simply peel the carrot completely into strips or “noodles”. If you’re using a spiralizer, simple cut the carrot through until you carrot noodles. If you’re using a cheese grater, simply coarsely grate the carrot.
• Next, add a splash or two of raw apple cider vinegar.
• Add some freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt.
• Next, add in the oil of choice.
• Toss well and enjoy daily!
Some fun additions include:
• Dulse flakes
• Gomashio
• Coconut aminos
• Fresh lemon or lime juice
• Dried fruit like cranberries
, raisins
, or apricots
• Garlic salt
• Fresh herbs
• Raw honey
• Cayenne
• Sesame oil
• Tuna
• Red onion
• Crumbled farm cheese
[yumprint-recipe id='12']
When to Eat Your Carrot
It is best to eat your carrot as a snack between meals and for women, it is especially beneficial to eat raw carrot before ovulation to offset PMS symptoms.
Did you know that our humble carrot had so much health potential?
Here's some more hormone related articles:
3 Steps to Getting Rid of Hormonal Acne Naturally
How to Detox Your Liver!
Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
tina says
excess estrogen levels, prolactin high, progesterone low, how can I balance it
JOHN OREO says
I juice my carrots. Can I eat the fibre that's left over to get the same estrogen lowering effect? Regards John.
Tash says
Hi John!
the estrogen lowering effects are in the fiber of the carrots so it's best if you eat them raw.
Jen says
Really interesting and haven't come across this specifically about carrots. Do you have any research articles or studies that you can provide to back this up? I'd like to share with clients (I am a nutrition practitioner). Thanks
Tash says
Hi Jen!
This is where I found the information:
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/natural-estrogens.shtml
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/epilepsy-progesterone.shtml
Emily @ Amchara says
This is really interesting. Can there be any issues with having to many carrots?
Tash says
Hi Emily!
Well, if you eat A LOT of carrots every day, you can actually turn orange. 😉
Kayla says
Will this work the same with fermented carrots?
Tash says
Hi Kayla!
I think as long as the carrots are still raw, it should work 🙂
Mary says
I have low estrogen level is low and my prolactin is elevated will carrots help balance me out?
Tash says
Hi Mary!
The carrots will only get rid of excess estrogen. Since your levels are already low, you may want to avoid eating raw carrots. What you may want to try is seed cycling which you can learn more about here. 🙂
George Alabi says
Tash ,will this still work if I peel the skin of the carrot ?
Tash says
Yes! 🙂
Alina says
Tash, You said in your article that it is Ok to eat carrots even if you have low estrogen. You said that carrots do not lower the estrogen. Please clarify. Thank you
Tash says
Hi Alina!
Raw carrots lower excess estrogens by binding to them and removing them from the body. 🙂
Diana M. says
Hello! You mentioned that cooking with certain unhealthy oils will increase inflammation in the body. I was wondering what types of healthier oils do you recommend for high temperature cooking such as sautéing, baking, or making homemade stovetop popcorn? It's hard to find a reliable source on this topic. For instance, one person will say coconut oil is excellent while another will claim it's quite unhealthy. Thanks in advance for your input!
Tash says
Hi Diana!
I really love avocado oil and coconut oil. They are both wonderful for high heat. I tend to like avocado oil for more savory things and coconut oil more for baking. Both of these oils are healthy fats! The oils you need to watch out for are vegetable oils, canola oil, and other oils with unbalanced omega 3 and 6. Those are the ones that are really unhealthy. As a side note, if you don;t like the flavor of coconut oil, try getting the refines version. It won't have any flavor and can be used in place of any oil in any recipe 🙂 Hope this helps!
Thess says
My Mom used to cook or prepare any dish with carrots, worst, she made smoothie out of carrots, just entirely carrots, then forcing me to drink it all. I hate her for that. That's the underlying reason behind avoiding carrots in any recipe. It was way back 20 years ago though. Yeah, I was too young back then, can't blame, right? Anyway. I am trying to make carrot smoothie now to ease PMS early in the morning and grab some l-theanine tea on the afternoon. It calms me, somehow. Thanks for this idea. I miss my Mom.
Tash says
Hi Thess!
Yes! Carrots believe it or not really help balance our emotions 🙂
Krystal says
Tash I had no idea!! I'm definitely going to add more raw carrots to my diet and see if it helps with my PMS issues. Thanks for sharing!
Susanne runion says
I would have never guessed that eating carrots could reduce high estrogen levels. It is so simple and healthy. Estrogen dominance is becoming a big problem so it is great to have an easy way to take care of it.
Chloe @ How We Flourish says
Cool! I never knew this. I am not a huge fan of raw vegetables, but raw carrots are the one that I will eat occasionally. My husband, on the other hand, eats raw carrots all the time!
Megan Stevens says
I did not know this. But it totally resonates. My body feels better when I eat raw carrots; and I have noted in the past that my super beautiful and healthy MIL eats them every night with dinner. It's a plan! I'm on the carrot bandwagon; thanks!! 🙂
Sylvie says
Delicious and healing, it doesn't get better than that!
Erin Smith says
I had no idea that carrots were so awesome! My husband HATES carrots... maybe I'll have to try some different ways of cooking them. I did discover he tolerates them more when they're cooked and actually likes them when we put them in with the roast. Thanks for sharing!
Renee Kohley says
This is SO interesting. I wonder how this works with kids - one of mine girls is obsessed with raw carrots - like eats an entire one EVERY day. Love that salad!
Tash says
I think this would work GREAT for kids! It should hopefully keep puberty a little more bearable at least especially with acne and cramps! 🙂
Marjorie @ This is so good... says
This is so interesting! I had no idea carrots could help with balancing estrogen. Great recipe too!