Estrogenic foods contain phytoestrogens, which can have estrogenic or estrogen-blocking effects. Soy, flaxseeds, oats, sesame seeds, pomegranates, cherries, and dates are natural estrogenic foods. Coffee, beer, red clover, fennel, and motherwort also have estrogenic effects. Studies show conflicting evidence on the health risks and benefits of phytoestrogens, and xenoestrogens found in plastics and pesticides can have hormone-disrupting effects.
Estrogenic foods are plant foods that contain phytoestrogens, natural compounds similar to the hormone estrogen. These plant chemicals can have estrogenic or estrogen-blocking effects. Natural estrogenic foods include legumes, fruits, and seeds. Studies conducted on the effects of estrogen-containing foods are conflicting regarding their health benefits and risks. Some foods contain estrogen-mimicking compounds, called xenoestrogens, due to contamination with agricultural chemicals.
Soy is one of the most well-known estrogen-containing foods. Products made from soy include tofu, soy milk, and soy protein powder. These estrogenic foods have a long history of use in Asia, and studies there have shown little to no indication of estrogen-related illness from eating a diet high in soy products. Flaxseeds, oats, and sesame seeds are also estrogenic foods. Fruits rich in phytoestrogens include pomegranates, cherries, and dates.
Two estrogenic drinks are coffee and beer. Hops, an ingredient in beer, contain phytoestrogens and give beer a slightly estrogenic action. Some herbs have estrogenic effects such as red clover, fennel, and motherwort. These herbs and wild yam are sometimes used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors on cells, and research shows conflicting evidence as to whether this causes health risks, benefits, or both. Studies have shown that soyfoods have no effect on sperm count or motility in human males. It is less clear whether plant-based estrogens play a role in causing or preventing certain types of cancer in women. Studies of hormone-sensitive breast cancer are inconclusive regarding the effects of phytoestrogens consumption.
Some studies have shown that weakly acting phytoestrogens can bind to cellular estrogen receptors without activating them, blocking estrogen or estrogen-mimicking chemicals and their effects. This provides a protective action in cases of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer. A strong phytoestrogen, on the other hand, can bind to and activate cellular estrogen receptors, potentially exacerbating these cancers.
Xenoestrogens, estrogen-mimicking compounds found in plastics, pesticides, and other agricultural and industrial chemicals, are also present in many foods. These chemicals have hormone-disrupting effects in humans and wildlife. Some phytoestrogens are thought to be able to block the effects of stronger xenoestrogens by binding to estrogen receptors without stimulating them. This class of compounds is found in animal products and in fruits and vegetables as pesticide residues. Non-organically produced dairy products, meats, and eggs can act as estrogenic foods due to agricultural use of synthetic estrogens.
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