Are you experiencing unexpected changes in your lady parts? Did you know that the food that you are eating may be responsible?

You are probably aware of the key role of food in the functioning of all the vital organs of your body. This includes your reproductive organs as well. Although advertising messages may tell you otherwise, the vagina is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to keeping itself clean. Instead of using feminine washes, you can simply tweak the food that you eat to tackle any risk of infection, odor, or lack of “freshness” in your vagina.

To help you make informed choices about food, we have compiled a list of 20 nutritious items that help keep your vagina healthy.

1. Water

There is no mistaking the role of water in keeping your entire body healthy, including your vagina. Adequate hydration helps optimize the self-cleaning function of the vagina by increasing lubrication and allowing the formation of secretions that maintain the balance of the pH of the vagina.

2. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is one of the best products on the market to promote the health of your lady parts. It contains probiotics that promote the growth of healthy microbial flora in the gut, helping maintain your weight and mood as well as strengthening your immune system. Even more importantly, probiotics help maintain optimum pH levels in the vagina.

3. Kimchi

Foods other than yogurt can be probiotics too! For instance, kimchi is another probiotic that helps keep your vaginal pH at normal, slightly acidic levels. The great part about probiotics is that they prevent the growth of “bad bacteria” and prevent infections.

4. Kombucha

Kombucha is yet another probiotic that helps maintain a healthy balance of microbial flora of the vagina. What’s more, drinking kombucha can help the vagina smell and taste better!

5. Red Wine

If you are worried about your libido, give red wine a shot. One study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine discovered that women who drank a glass or two of red wine had better libido than women who did not. Make sure to limit yourself to only two glasses though because drinking any more than that will not do you any favors. Red wine is home to multiple antioxidants that increase nitric oxide production in the blood, relaxing the blood vessels and improving blood flow to your lady parts. What’s more, red wine also contains flavonoids that protect you from ovarian cancer!

6. Oysters

Rich in zinc, oysters can help increase sex drive in women. Moreover, oysters are great at alleviating vaginal dryness, warding off infections, and regulating the menstrual cycle.

7. Vitamin C

Vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruit, bell peppers, and strawberries all promote a healthy immune system and prevent infections in the vaginal area. A 2013 study found that consuming one vaginal tablet of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) after treatment of bacterial vaginosis lowers the rate of recurrence.

8. Nuts

Nuts are worth going nuts for! Rich in vitamin E, nuts such as almonds and peanuts are great for strengthening the muscular walls of the vagina. Having strong muscles makes it easy to deliver a child. Moreover, nuts also help lubricate the mucous membranes of the vagina.

9. Bananas

One of the best sources of potassium is bananas. Potassium-rich foods counteract the effects of sodium-rich foods. Sodium decreases blood flow to the genitals, prevent orgasms, and contributes to the feeling of bloating you get after eating salty foods.

10. Broccoli

You may not have been a fan of broccoli, but you will become one when you find out that eating foods loaded with flavonoid kaempferol, such as broccoli, can reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by an astounding 40%! These results were found in a 2007 study conducted by researchers at Harvard.

11. Carrots

Your favorite carrots and ranch snack may be just the healthy treat you needed! In the study mentioned earlier, researchers also discovered that women consuming the flavonoid luteolin – present in peppers, cabbages, and carrots – had a 34% reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer.

12. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are superfoods for your heart and circulation. Are you wondering why that is relevant to vaginal health? It is relevant because, according to Taub-Dix, ample blood flow to the vagina is vital for the maintenance of sex drive. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain your vaginal health in other ways too. For example, according to a 2010 study, women consuming diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have a 22% lower risk of developing endometriosis than others.

13. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet foods are not usually very nutritious, but sweet potatoes are an exception. Rich in vitamin A, they are great at strengthening your muscles, especially those forming the vaginal walls.

14. Cranberries

According to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who underwent gynecological surgery and took a cranberry juice pill containing equivalent to a 16-ounce serving of the juice for six weeks post-operation had their risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) reduced to half. This is because cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins and fructose that can help reduce the risk of developing a UTI. They do so by either preventing adherence of bacteria (especially E. coli) to the bladder wall or selecting against adhesive strains in stools. However, when using cranberry juice, it is important to mind the sugar levels in the drink because excessive sugar can increase the pH levels in the vagina and make you susceptible to yeast infections. On a side note, this is why you should cut your sugar intake.

15. Spinach

Spinach contains the mineral magnesium, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, keeping the blood vessels healthy and maintaining optimum blood flow to extremities. Keeping blood flowing to your reproductive organs helps improve sex life in a similar way to Viagra – women have easier orgasms and men have easier erections.

16. Flax

Snacking on flax seeds can help reduce dryness before intercourse. According to Bjork, flax seeds are rich in phytoestrogens that are important for the lubrication of the vagina and the maintenance of normal estrogen levels.

17. Garlic

Consuming raw garlic on its own can be difficult (unless you really like it), so you can always add it to your everyday meals instead. Hoppe reports that garlic is great at suppressing yeast infections owing to its antimicrobial properties.

18. Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruit, such as lemons, grapefruit, and oranges, are all fantastic sources of Vitamin C and flavonoids. The former is known for its beneficial effects on the vagina, while the latter has been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in a study published by the University of East Anglia.

19. Black Tea

In the study mentioned above, researchers also found that daily consumption of black tea reduces the chances of developing ovarian cancer by a whopping 31%. The seven-day flat-belly tea cleanse can help you make the most of the benefits of consuming tea while also shedding weight as ten panelists did; they lost as much as 10 pounds in only a week!

20. Coconut oil

Of course, coconut oil tastes great, but does it have any benefits for your sexual health too? Yes, it does! Applying coconut oil not only help keep your vagina lubricated but also prevents infections due to its antimicrobial properties.

A final note, consider taking a daily vaginal probiotics to keep yourself feeling fresh and free from BV, Odor, and keeping your vaginal pH balanced.