What are the Benefits of Drinking Soda During Menstruation?

March 02, 2023By Nona Woman

Menstruation is a period that is quite excruciating for most women. Some of the symptoms that are commonly felt during menstruation include stomach cramps, headaches, and unstable moods. This condition often makes women look for ways to relieve symptoms, one of which is by drinking soda.

However, is it safe to drink soda during menstruation? Let's take a closer look.

Speed up the Menstrual Cycle, Myth or Fact?

Many women believe that consuming soft drinks during menstruation can speed up bleeding and make menstruation finish faster. So, some women try to drink soda so that more blood comes out and menstruation doesn't last too long.

However, until now there is no medical research that can prove the truth of this. Therefore, women should be careful if they are used to doing it because the long-term effects are still unknown.

It is very important to know that carbonated drinks or carbonated water is water that has been mixed with carbon dioxide gas and also contains caffeine and sugar. The sugar content in it is very high, reaching 10 grams per 100 milliliters.

This is important to note because excessive sugar intake can cause various health problems, including during menstruation. In addition, soft drinks contain high calories but low in nutrients.

Side Effects of Drinking Soda During Menstruation

Caffeine has vasoconstrictor properties which can constrict blood vessels, including those in the uterus, thereby increasing the intensity of stomach cramps during menstruation. In addition, caffeine can also trigger feelings of anxiety and breast pain during menstruation.

Meanwhile, soft drinks that are high in sugar content are also not good for consumption during menstruation. Sugar has inflammatory properties that can exacerbate stomach cramps during menstruation if blood sugar levels are unstable.

In addition, sugar consumption can affect the balance of the immune system, which can cause fatigue and a lack of energy.Drinking soda during your period can also cause some side effects. Some of them are:

Worsening Menstrual Symptoms
The caffeine in soda can trigger contractions of the uterine muscles which can increase pain during menstruation. In addition, the sugar in soda can also trigger insulin spikes in the body, which can affect the menstrual cycle.
Dehydration
The caffeine in soda can cause dehydration, which can exacerbate symptoms like headaches and period cramps.
Indigestion
The sugar in soda can cause digestive upset, which can exacerbate symptoms like diarrhea and period bloating.
Mood Swings
The caffeine and sugar in soda can affect mood and emotions, which can exacerbate PMS symptoms such as irritability and sadness during menstruation.

Tips for a Smooth Menstrual Cycle

In order for menstruation to run smoothly, it is important to identify the cause first. However, there are several ways that are safe and have minimal side effects to launch menstruation, such as:

Exercising Routinely
Regular exercise can provide positive benefits for health, including in launching menstruation. If your irregular periods are caused by being overweight or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), exercise can be a safe solution with minimal side effects.

This is because exercise can help reduce high levels of androgen hormones which are the cause of PCOS. In addition, exercise can also reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, which is a disorder during menstruation characterized by severe menstrual pain.
Doing Yoga
According to the results of a study, yoga has been shown to be effective for launching menstruation if done regularly for 30-45 minutes every day, five days a week, for six months in a row. In addition, yoga can also help reduce menstrual pain and mood swings due to menstruation.
Maintaining an Ideal Weight
Maintaining an ideal body weight is very important because a body that is too fat or thin can interfere with the menstrual cycle. If you suspect that weight problems are the cause of your irregular periods, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor for safe and effective recommendations for gaining or losing weight.
Consuming More Vitamin D and B
Vitamin D deficiency can cause irregular menstruation. Therefore, it is recommended to take vitamin D supplements every day to maintain hormonal balance and prevent menstrual disorders. In addition, vitamin B supplements can also help reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual pain.

The notion that consuming soft drinks during menstruation can shorten the menstrual cycle is just a myth. To be able to initiate menstruation, you should do regular exercise, maintain your weight, and eat nutritious foods rich in vitamins B and D.