Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are natural phytochemicals. They are different from animal-based estrogens. They are found in virtually all plants, particularly in beans, vegetables, and nuts. These include soybeans, mung beans, winter melon, broccoli, cabbage, apple, sesame seeds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, chestnuts, almonds, walnuts, and cashew nuts.

Saponins are a major group of phytoestrogens found in many plant foods, including soybeans and spinach. Different phytoestrogens benefit the human body in different ways.

Phytoestrogens do not cause cancer. In fact, phytoestrogens prevent cancer. Research has shown that phytoestrogens fill receptor sites in the body, keeping cancer-causing animal-based estrogens from getting there first. This, in turn, helps to prevent hormone-related cancers (such as breast cancer).