Can I Take Vitamin C During Menstruation?

Many women pay close attention to their diet during menstruation, as some cold and chilled foods can easily cause discomfort or even abdominal pain. During this time, women can consume brown sugar or red dates to replenish the blood lost. Generally, there is no need to take health supplements or deliberately supplement vitamin C during menstruation; instead, it is recommended to eat plenty of fresh vegetables. However, it's crucial to note that women should avoid consuming any medications or health supplements during menstruation as it is a natural detoxification process, and there is no need to enhance vitamin intake.

Certain foods should be avoided during menstruation, including:

• Tea: As women lose a significant amount of iron after menstruation, it's essential to increase iron intake. Tea, however, contains over 30% tannic acid, which can bind with iron ions in the intestine, causing precipitation and interfering with the absorption of iron. Additionally, tea can exacerbate breast tenderness, deplete vitamin B stores, and disrupt carbohydrate metabolism.
• Caffeine-containing beverages: These can cause breast tenderness, anxiety, irritability, and emotional instability. They also deplete vitamin B stores and disrupt carbohydrate metabolism.
• Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol depletes vitamin B and minerals, disrupts carbohydrate metabolism, and stimulates the production of hormones that can lead to early menstruation and excessive bleeding.
• Cold drinks: These should be avoided by women with menstrual disorders.
• Sodas: Women who consume carbonated drinks may experience fatigue and mental sluggishness during menstruation, which can be attributed to iron deficiency. Carbonated drinks contain phosphates that react with iron in the body, making it difficult to absorb.

During menstruation, women's bodies consume large amounts of nutrients and calories, making it an ideal time for weight loss. Coupled with healthy diet plans, the effects of weight loss can be even more pronounced. Below are a few menstruation-friendly weight loss recipes:

Red Bean and Barley Porridge

Ingredients: Red beans, barley, dried red dates, Xian He Cao (herb), white sugar
Method: Rinse and soak the barley and red beans in water for half a day. Clean and soak the dried red dates. Wrap the Xian He Cao in a gauze and set aside. Place the barley, red beans, Xian He Cao, and red dates in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook until done.

Corn, Carrot, and Pork Rib Soup

Ingredients: Pork ribs, carrots, corn, ginger, salt, MSG
Method: Peel and clean the carrots, then cut into chunks. Clean the pork ribs and boil to remove blood. Clean the corn and cut into small sections. Place the pork ribs, carrots, corn, and ginger in a pot with an appropriate amount of water. Boil and then simmer for 2 hours. Season with salt and MSG to taste before serving. This soup is a nutritious and effective weight loss recipe for menstruation.