Soya has many health benefits, most of which are attributed to its soya isoflavone content. A new study from researchers in Italy now suggests that soya isoflavones can help reduce hot flushes during the menopause. Hot flushes and night sweats are common among women going through the menopause and they can severely impact  quality of life. In Western countries, 70% of women experience hot  flushes during the menopause, compared to only up to 18% in Asian  woman. It has long been believed that women in Asia enjoy this  benefit because their diet is high in soya and soya isoflavones.

In this new study, 180 menopausal women received either 80 milligrams of soya isoflavones or a placebo. The participants had experienced at least five moderate to severe hot flushes each day when the trial began. Six weeks into the study, the number of hot flushes had decreased by 36% for the women in the soya isoflavones group compared to 24% of those in the placebo group. The reduction in hot flushes continued into the 12^th week of the study. The women on soya isoflavones then reported a 41% decrease in hot flushes compared to 29% in the placebo group. The placebo element is quite large but this is often observed in the treatment of hot flushes. The improvement of symptoms in the soya isoflavones group is a significant one. Women who find menopausal hot flushes are taking over their life might consider increasing their soya isoflavone intake. This means eating more of soya proteins foods, such as miso soup, soya mince, soya desserts and soya milk.

Source:

Ferrari A et al Soy extract phytoestrogens with high doses of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms Journal of Obstetric and Gynecological Research 2009; 35:1083-1090