Foods High in Phytoestrogens
As mentioned earlier, phytoestrogens are compounds that occur naturally in plants, which are naturally occurring plant compounds. They can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. When women reach the menopause stage, their level of the female hormone, estrogen, diminishes. Some women go for hormone replacement treatments, while others prefer home remedies.
Experts say that in Asian countries like Japan, they believe the high phytoestrogen intake is one of the key reasons why menopausal women in the country seldom have hot flashes. Aside from soybeans and soy products, phytoestrogen-rich foods include tofu, flaxseeds, tempeh, linseeds, beans, and sesame seeds. You can also get phytoestrogens from cauliflower, broccoli, edamame beans, and cabbage.
However, studies say that the phytoestrogen content varies depending on the processing methods used by manufacturers and sellers. In one study where participants’ diets were high in soy, their cholesterol levels dropped remarkably. Moreover, they had lower blood pressure and reduced severity of their night sweats and hot flashes because they could replace some of the estrogens they lost.
According to trusted evidence, consuming real food sources rich in phytoestrogens is better than having processed foods and supplements enriched with soy protein.
