Isoflavones: What They Are, Benefits, and Risks

Isoflavones belong to the flavonoid family of polyphenols. Fruits, vegetables, chocolate, wine, and tea are some familiar sources of flavonoids.Many different legumes contain isoflavones, but soybeans and other soy foods like tofu, miso, and tempeh are particularly rich sources.Media outlets sometimes refer to isoflavones as a "super-nutrient," claiming they possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties.However, there has been controversy around some of these claims.It's difficult to interpret research into the benefits of soy-rich foods. Studies often use different types of soy foods or look at different groups of people, making them hard to compare with each other.Equally, findings from non-human studies, or those with varying doses of isoflavones, can be tricky to translate into clear, actionable advice for people.In this article, we'll explore the research behind the health claims. We'll explain where the benefits lie and if there are any risks...