Hormones, Oestrogen & The Surprising Power of Carrots

As we navigate the changes that come with perimenopause and menopause, many of us experience firsthand how shifting hormone levels can impact almost every area of our health. One of the biggest culprits is a drop in oestrogen, which can trigger a wide range of symptoms — from mood swings and poor sleep to skin issues, brain fog, and beyond.

But there’s another hormonal imbalance that often gets overlooked: oestrogen dominance. This happens when oestrogen levels are unusually high relative to other hormones, and it can cause just as much disruption, even during menopause, when oestrogen levels are generally declining.

Why Oestrogen Balance Matters

Oestrogen plays a crucial role in a range of bodily functions, influencing everything from metabolism and immune response to bone strength, skin health, and reproductive function. When levels are out of balance, it can cause the body to go into a bit of a tailspin.

Common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include:

• Anxiety and mood swings
• Hot flushes or poor temperature regulation
• Brain fog and memory lapses
• Headaches
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Hair thinning
• Bloating and constipation
• Sore breasts
• Sleep disturbances
• Low libido
• Unexplained fatigue and weight gain

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re certainly not imagining it.

The Raw Carrot Salad Craze

One interesting trend making the rounds on TikTok is the raw carrot salad, popularised by biologist Dr Ray Peat, who specialises in hormone physiology. He discovered that raw carrots contain a unique fibre that binds to excess oestrogens and endotoxins in the digestive system, helping the body expel them more efficiently.

Dr Peat’s female patients reportedly experienced notable improvements in symptoms like bloating, anxiety, PMS, period pain and even skin issues, simply by eating a raw carrot salad once or twice a day. The benefits also extended to improved gut health, liver function, and reduced bacterial overgrowth — all of which play a vital role in hormonal regulation.

Fibre, Food, and Hormone Harmony

There’s growing evidence to support the idea that a fibre-rich diet — particularly one rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and, yes, carrots — can help the body better metabolise and eliminate excess oestrogens.

Even if carrots aren’t your thing, adding these kinds of foods to your diet can make a meaningful difference to your overall hormone health.

Why I Created Mena Muesli

At Mena, I believe that what we eat has a powerful effect on how we feel. That’s why I created a range of menopause-friendly muesli and snack bars, packed with carefully chosen ingredients that support hormonal wellbeing from the inside out.

Now, I’ll be honest — there are no carrots in my recipe. So if you were expecting a bright orange root veg to pop out of your breakfast bowl, you’ll be disappointed (or possibly relieved). But while there’s not a carrot in sight, what is inside are powerful, natural plant oestrogens — gentle compounds that mimic the effects of oestrogen to help bring your body back into balance.

Whether you're dealing with the highs and lows of oestrogen dominance or feeling the slower rhythm of hormonal decline, a well-balanced breakfast can be your secret weapon.

Explore the range at www.mena-pause.com and let your cereal do the heavy lifting — no peeling required.

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