Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens: Phytoestrogens are substances found in plants (phyto-) that have estrogen-like properties. Phytoesterogens latch onto the receptor sites on cells meant for estrogen. This results in a partial stimulation of those receptors, less intense than if true estrogen had attached, but stronger than if nothing had stimulated those receptors at all. This leads to a dual result. In women who have considerable estrogen, high consumption of phytoestrogens tends to occupy the receptor sites and keep real estrogen away. The net effect is to reduce the overall action of estrogen. Since estrogen promotes a number of forms of cancer (such as breast cancer), this may reduce cancer risk. However, in women who have little estrogen (after menopause, for example), consumption of large amounts of phytoestrogens will tend to mimic the effect of the missing estrogen, reducing symptoms such as hot flashes. Phytoestrogens are found in numerous foods, most prominently soybeans (and many other types of beans), red clover, flaxseed, and whole grains. The phytoestrogens found in these foods include isoflavones and lignans. 1 Herbs with high phytoestrogen content include alfalfa , hops , licorice , thyme, and verbena. 1,2 Certain herbs that are often claimed to contain phytoestrogens actually do not. These include wild yam , saw palmetto , and chasteberry . Dong quai , ginseng , and black cohosh do not appear to contain phytoestrogens in the ordinary sense, but might contain substances that mimic some of the actions of estrogen under certain circumstances. Here is a list of of foods and drinks with the calculated amount of phytoestrogens found in each. Please note this list is not comprehensive and there are other foods such as carrots and apples in which phytoestrogens are found to contain, but I could not find any material that lists the amounts: Flax seed 379380 Soy beans 103920 Soy nuts 68730.8 Tofu 27150.1 Tempeh 18307.9 Miso paste 11197.3 Soy yogurt 10275 Soy protein powder 8840.7 Sesame seed 8008.1 Flax bread 7540 Multigrain bread 4798.7 Soy milk 2957.2 Hummus 993 Garlic 603.6 Mung bean sprouts 495.1 Dried apricots 444.5 Alfalfa sprouts 441.4 Pistachios 382.5 Dried dates 329.5 Sunflower seed 216 Chestnuts 210.2 Olive oil 180.7 Almonds 131.1 Cashews 121.9 Green bean 105.8 Peanuts 34.5 Onion 32 Blueberry 17.5 Corn 9 Coffee, regular 6.3 Watermelon 2.9 Milk, cow 1.2 Soy bean sprouts 789.6 Garlic 603.6 Winter squash 113.7 Green beans 105.8 Collards 101.3 Broccoli 94.1 Cabbage 80 Fruits   Dried prunes 183.5 Peaches 64.5 Strawberry 51.6 Raspberry 47.6 Watermelon 2.9 Nuts and other legume seeds Pistachios 382.5 Chestnuts 210.2 Walnuts 139.5 Cashews 121.9 Hazel nuts 107.5 Lentils 36.5 Beverages Wine, red 53.9 Tea, green 13 Wine, white 12.7 Tea, black 8.9 Coffee, decaf 5.5 Beer 2.7 Other   Black bean souce 5330.3 Black licorice 862.7 Bread, rye 146.3