Estrogen, Phytoestrogens, and Where to Find Them
Estrogen is a hormone that does a lot in the human body. It’s especially important for women’s reproductive health, bone density, heart health, and brain function. As women age and enter menopause, their estrogen levels drop, which can cause a whole host of uncomfortable symptoms.
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that can act like estrogen in the body. They bind to estrogen receptors and may have either estrogen-like or estrogen-blocking effects. You can find phytoestrogens in soy products, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Beer and soy are two very different sources of phytoestrogens, and they may have different effects on your health. Beer gets its phytoestrogens from hops, specifically 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) and isoxanthohumol (IX). Soybeans are packed with isoflavones like genistein and daidzein, which are well-known phytoestrogens.
This article will compare the estrogenic effects of beer and soy, including a discussion of the potential benefits and risks of consuming them. We’ll consider the types and amounts of phytoestrogens in each, as well as their possible impact on menopausal symptoms and heart health. We’ll also consider whether there are differences between the effects of estrogen in beer vs soy.
Read more