Our digestive system plays a huge role in maintaining hormone health. If we are low in good gut bacteria and/or constipated (due to stress, antibiotic use, oral contraceptive pill, poor diet etc), oestrogens can get reabsorbed from our bowels back into the bloodstream increasing oestrogen in the body. If oestrogen levels are too high relative to other hormones, specifically progesterone, a whole host of hormonal symptoms can occur such as weight gain, PMS, mood swings, heavy periods, breast tenderness to name but a few. It is therefore important to keep the digestive system healthy and regulated.
Rhubarb contains a high amount of dietary fibre which helps bulk up stool, making bowel movements smooth and regular. It is quite tart in flavour so adding it with sweet strawberries makes it much more palatable. Here’s a really simple recipe if you’re feeling a little sluggish and tastes delicious with live cultured Greek or coconut yoghurt and a sprinkle of my Coconut Macadamia Nut Granola!
Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote
Ingredients
3 stalks Rhubarb (sliced)
4 cups Strawberries* (remove tops)
2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Coconut Sugar or Maple syrup to sweeten (more or less depending on how sweet you want it)
1/4 cup water
*buy organic strawberries if possible as strawberries are one of the highest sprayed crops. If you can’t get your hands on organic strawberries a good trick is to add 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 2 cups of water and soak the strawberries in that for 5-10 minutes as this helps remove the pesticide residue.
Directions
- In a medium pot add all the ingredients and bring to the boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the fruit is cooked (takes approximately 30 minutes). I like to mash the fruit around to break it down.
- Once the fruit is cooked, take off the heat and let it cool.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge until you are ready to use (it will be good for about a week).
Let me know what you think of this recipe over on my Instagram.
Be well,
Nikki x