Overview

• The 12-week study randomized 84 postmenopausal women experiencing at least two moderate-to-severe hot flashes daily to a low-fat vegan diet with half a cup of cooked soybeans or to their usual omnivorous diet.
• Participants on the vegan plan reported a 92% reduction in severe hot flashes and an average weight loss of 3.6 kg compared with negligible changes in the control group.
• Dietary records classified by the NOVA system revealed that the level of plant food processing did not affect hot-flash relief or weight loss outcomes.
• Researchers attributed symptom improvement to phytoestrogens in soy, which mimic estrogen and help stabilize hormonal fluctuations during menopause.
• Medical experts noted additional advantages of plant-based eating for reducing heart disease and cancer risks and recommended that women in midlife consider this dietary strategy.