Ariel, October 18, 2022
Menstrual pain is a nightmare for many women. For those with milder symptoms, the faint discomfort in the lower abdomen might not hinder daily activities, but it can still be irritating and draining.
For those with severe symptoms, menstrual cramps can be so debilitating that sufferers can only toss and turn in bed, trying to find a position that offers even a slight relief, to no avail.
Sometimes, menstrual cramps can also be accompanied by headaches and vomiting, severely impacting some women's normal lives.
To address menstrual pain, there are painkillers like ibuprofen, but the saying "all drugs have side effects" is deeply ingrained in people's minds. This leads many to endure the pain rather than take medication, fearing that it might affect their menstrual cycle or even future fertility. At this point, brown sugar water becomes their first choice. But is brown sugar water truly effective in treating menstrual cramps? Is there any scientific basis for this?
What is Brown Sugar?
Brown sugar is made from sugarcane boiled down and refined. Its unique red-brown color comes from the sucrose in the sugarcane, which breaks down into glucose and fructose under high temperatures, and may even further turn into caramel.
After further decolorization and processing, brown sugar becomes white sugar. Therefore, other than a slight difference in mineral content, there is no significant nutritional difference between brown and white sugar.
Thus, brown sugar alone cannot provide sufficient nutrients to the body. Additionally, the components of sugarcane are easily absorbed forms of sugar like sucrose, fructose, and glucose, so consuming too much can be harmful rather than beneficial, possibly leading to obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases.
Can Brown Sugar Water Relieve Menstrual Cramps?
The primary cause of menstrual cramps is the excessive release of prostaglandins in the female body, and the main way to relieve menstrual cramps is to regulate hormone levels. So, does brown sugar water have this effect?
It does not. Women can regulate their hormone levels through diet, exercise, or medication. [2] In terms of diet, it is necessary to supplement vitamins and proteins and sufficient water, but the components of brown sugar are not enough to help women supplement these nutrients, thus it cannot regulate hormone levels to relieve menstrual cramps.
Moreover, regulating hormones is not something that can be achieved overnight, and dietary adjustments are a more gradual process. Thus, it is recommended for women who frequently experience menstrual pain to consciously consume high-protein foods and vitamin-rich fruits to restore normal hormonal balance. Those seeking to quickly adjust imbalances in hormone levels should actively seek medical advice, and doctors can prescribe suitable hormone medications.
Since brown sugar water cannot regulate hormones, why do some people feel less pain after drinking it?
Primarily, hot brown sugar water can promote blood circulation and relax muscles, to some extent easing uterine contractions and thus alleviating symptoms of menstrual cramps. This effect is similar to that of applying heat or drinking hot water.
So, drinking brown sugar water can relieve menstrual cramps, but popular claims that it nourishes blood and strengthens the body are unfounded. Moreover, this method is only effective for mild menstrual pain. For severe cases, it is advisable to take pain medication or seek medical attention promptly.
