Usually menopausal women often use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes. However, HRT has drawbacks including higher risks of ovarian and breast cancers. Fortunately, the Women’s Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS) trial demonstrates that a plant-based diet rich in soy can decrease hot flashes by 88% and contribute to weight loss.

Eating soybeans and avoiding animal products helps decrease hot flashes

Lead researcher Neal Barnard, acknowledged the effectiveness of a combination of factors including incorporating soy beans, avoiding animal products and reducing fats in decreasing hot flashes. He highlights that these elements resemble the diets of regions like pre-Westernized Japan and modern-day Yucatán Peninsula, where postmenopausal women encounter fewer symptoms. The reasons for this success are not fully comprehended yet.

In the study, 84 postmenopausal women experiencing frequent hot flashes were divided into two groups. One group followed a low-fat vegan diet with daily soybean consumption, while the other group made no dietary changes. After 12 weeks, the vegan diet group experienced an 88 percent reduction in moderate to severe hot flashes and an average weight loss of eight pounds. This success rate is comparable to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), usually 70 to 90 percent effective, but with fewer medical risks due to the simplicity of dietary changes.

Dietary benefits on managing hot flashes persist overs seasons

The study commenced on October 2021 and was divide in two parts. The first part showed that there could be positive effects on menopause relief from seasonal temperature changes. Women who joined the study in either spring or fall experienced similar benefits, indicating that these effects persisted even after temperature adjustments. Researchers suggest that these findings advocate for prioritizing diet and lifestyle discussions for addressing menopause symptoms, as well as other issues like weight gain and chronic diseases.

According to Dr Barnard, the research proves the success of a dietary approach in addressing menopausal symptoms. This diet is tailored to counter the health risks that women entering menopause face, including higher chances of heart disease, breast cancer, and memory issues.