Diet linked to 88% reduction in hot flashes during menopause

Menopausal symptoms could be significantly improved by switching to just one diet, according to recent research. Researchers at George Washington University Hospital found that hot flashes could be reduced by 88% using diet.

The diet also resulted in weight loss, with participating women losing an average of 8kg over 12 weeks. They combined soybeans with a vegan, low-fat diet to achieve the results. The vegan diet included eating 86 g of cooked soybeans each day.

The diet resulted in women reporting an 88% decrease in moderate or severe hot flashes. The scientists published the results in the medical journal Menopause.

Lead researcher Professor Neal Barnard said: “The diet was stronger than we predicted, matching the effects of hormone replacement therapy. Hot flashes are rare in countries like Japan, where soybeans are consumed regularly. The study diet involved avoiding fatty foods. – including nuts, avocados and vegetable oils.

Dr Barnard said that while soy alone or a vegan diet alone did not reduce hot flashes, combining them with a low-fat diet “resulted in a dramatic reduction”. He said: “All three pieces seem to be important.”

Soybeans contain isoflavones that have also been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer. They are also low in fat and high in fiber.