Healthy Foods

Isoflavone is a class of non-nutrient plant substances with potential anticancer effects. Isoflavones occur in relatively high concentrations in soy products. The content varies with the variety, time of harvest, and geographic location. Isoflavones belong to the general class of flavonoids; they possess complex ring structures with oxygen atoms attached. Genistein and daizein are two examples of isoflavones. Their general shape resembles the steroid hormone estrogen, a major female hormone. It is possible that isoflavones block estrogen from binding to targets, a needed step in hormone-dependent cancers like cancers of the breast, ovary, and endometrium. They could also stimulate the production of an estrogen-binding protein in the blood, or they could block liver enzymes that activate compounds to become cancer-causing agents. Vegetarians whose diets are enriched in soy products and tofu have a lower risk of cancer.

Helpful Resources:

• Soy Isoflavones
• Flavonoids
• Genistein

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