Is it true that food can cause ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cyst is a disease that can be suffered by every woman. Not only in mothers or newly married women, ovarian cysts can also be experienced by teenage women who are menstruating. Even ovarian cysts can be experienced by women who have menopause. This is dangerous because ovarian cysts in menopausal women are more likely to develop into ovarian cancer.

For that, you need to prevent cysts from forming on your ovaries. How to? Some say by avoiding certain foods because some foods can cause cysts. But, is this true?

Is it true that food can cause ovarian cysts?

If asked, can food cause ovarian cysts? Actually, there are no foods that can cause ovarian cysts. Food does not play a direct role in the growth of cysts on your ovaries or ovaries.

Ovarian cysts (small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries) simply grow, which usually occurs when you have your period. Ovarian cysts can go away on their own without you knowing it. Usually, ovarian cysts that go away on their own are ovarian cysts in the functional type.

Apart from functional cysts, other types of ovarian cysts are dermoid cysts, cystadenomas, endometriomas, and cysts caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These nonfunctional cysts are not related to your menstrual cycle. Worse, this type of cyst can become enlarged, show symptoms, be painful, and make it harder for you to get pregnant. So, special handling is needed to cure this type of cyst.

Then, what is the relationship between food and ovarian cysts?

Back again to the relationship between food and cysts. Although food can indirectly cause cysts, the nutrients in food can affect the function of the ovaries and hormones that regulate the reproductive system. Research in the 2016 International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery also shows that women who have cysts have a higher intake of fat than women who don't have cysts.

Fat can affect hormone metabolism which has an impact on ovarian function. Thus, most women who have ovarian cysts may also have fat bodies. Body fat (obesity) is also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, in which polycystic syndrome can cause ovarian cysts.

Apart from obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome is also associated with diabetes. Women who have diabetes have a higher chance of developing polycystic ovary syndrome, which also increases the chances of getting ovarian cysts. You need to know that insulin (which is related to diabetes) also has an important role in ovarian function.

Prevent ovarian cysts with a healthy lifestyle

So, for those of you who don't want to have ovarian cysts, it's best to take care of your weight and your blood sugar levels. You can get this by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Some of the things you can do are:

Eat lots of vegetables and fruit. Vegetables and fruit contain various nutrients that are good for the body. Also, it contains fiber which can help you maintain your weight and maintain blood sugar levels.
Eat healthy fats and limit your consumption of bad fats. Examples of foods that contain healthy fats are avocados, nuts, olive oil, canola oil, and others. This healthy fat is needed by the body. Meanwhile, bad fats will only be bad for the body.
Choose complex carbohydrates to eat. Complex carbohydrates contain more fiber, so they keep you full longer and are better able to maintain your blood sugar levels. Meanwhile, simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, candy, cakes, cookies, and sugary drinks can make your blood sugar levels increase and make you hungry again quickly. So, you need to limit your consumption of simple carbohydrates.
Get regular exercise. Exercise can make your body healthier overall and can also help maintain your weight.