Most vegetarians and vegans will certainly say thatSoy is greatly underestimatedbecomes. Scientists would also agree. Doctors have noticed for some time that women in Asia experience fewer, if any, menopausal symptoms. In contrast, female emigrants from Japan or China who then migrated to Europe or the USA reported symptoms such as hot flashes, sweats and sleep problems during menopause. Doctors have long suspected that it could be due to diet. A team of researchers from Miami Miller Medicine School found that soy products are on the menu every day in Asia. The scientists wanted to test whether soy could really alleviate menopause symptoms.
As part of the study, researchers analyzed and summarized the results of numerous other studies on the same topic. Soy contains isoflavones, which are considered plant estrogens and are said to have a similar effect. The scientists now wanted to check whether this is true. They evaluated the results of ten studies. All studies had one thing in common: the subjects were divided into two groups: the first was the control group and the second was the test group. The participants in the test group were then asked to eat soy foods for a period of several weeks. The control group ate as usual. The researchers found that the results in the two groups were very similar.
In a study from the USA, for example, the hormone levels of the test subjects were examined. In both the control and test groups, the hormone levels did not change in over 71%.
Another study from Australia was conducted with 58 women between the ages of 30 and 70. The researchers found that menopausal symptoms were not relieved by a diet containing soy flour instead of wheat flour.
Scientists could only find one study that reported positive results. However, this study lasted longer - around 6 months and the test subjects were supposed to consume at least 47 mg of isoflavones daily through food. The researchers tested estrogen levels and found an increase in the test group.
