Doctors and nutritionists advise patients on the healing aspects of food, from the "get plenty of fluids" mantra told to cold and flu sufferers to eating plenty of fiber to stay regular. Popeye even boasted about the power of food, when his quick spinach fix gave him super strength. Popular diets such as the South Beach Diet and The Zone content that food wards off disease, trims the body of excess fat and improves athletic performance. Perhaps food can do even more than that.
The Big Idea
According to women's health blogger Bree Brigham, researchers studying plant compounds found some evidence that when certain compounds were mixed with a woman's biochemistry, hormones were triggered that make breast tissue grow. Chemicals known as phytoestrogens are found naturally in the female body that aid estrogen during puberty and pregnancy to enlarge breasts. When foods containing high levels of phytoestrogen were eaten regularly, breast tissue did grow to some degree.
Miracle Workers
Fenugreek, a popular Asian spice, is one such food that contains higher than average amounts of phytoestrogen. Known in the plant-loving world as trigonella, its claim to fame comes in its supposed ability to reduce HDL cholesterol. In females, it speeds up breast milk production, which in turn enlarges breast tissue. It bares mentioning that overindulgence in the spice can cause cramping, bloating and diarrhea in many people (see References section).
Eat Your Greens
Alfalfa, a rather common salad ingredient, is much like fenugreek in its ability to increase lactation in pregnant and nursing women, although it isn't known which contains the higher concentration of phytoestrogens. Other popular and easily accessible foods that are purported to contain the compounds are nutrient-rich veggies such as carrots, soy (especially in its pure bean form), wild yams and celery.
Chinese Meds
Ginkgo biloba, dong quai and ginseng are herbs that have been used for centuries in Asian cultures as energy boosters and overall health promoters, although all have had their share of criticism from the medical community. While the herbs are readily available at nearly every health food store, some negative side effects have been reported by consumers, such as excitability, headaches, memory disruptions and intestinal discomfort.
Warning
Women who are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, are nursing or have a history of circulatory problems should consult their doctors before trying any herbal supplements.
Tags: breast tissue, breast tissue grow, contains higher, have been, pregnant nursing
