Some Phytoestrogens & Green Tea Show Promise For Breast Cancer

Holistic nutrition is rooted in the sentiment that food is medicine. Though modern medicine is a lifesaver, research continuously shows that certain foods can also help us live longer, healthier lives.

A meta-analysis and systematic review published in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum analyzed 32 studies and found that consumption of soy, enterolactone, and green tea may help reduce some negative breast cancer outcomes1. 

According to the analysis, people who ate soy isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen, had a 26% reduction in breast cancer recurrence. Consumption of enterolactone, a phytoestrogen found in foods like sesame seeds and flaxseeds, was associated with a 28% reduction in cancer-specific mortality. As for green tea, researchers concluded those who drank it had a 44% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence for stages I and II breast cancer. 

For soy consumption specifically, the greatest risk-reduction outcome aligned with 60 milligrams of soy isoflavones per day—a supplement-grade dose. (For context, one serving of tofu or soy milk typically packs around 25 mg of isoflavones2.)

Beyond their potential impact on breast cancer, the food groups highlighted in this research come with additional health benefits like providing plant protein, boosting antioxidant intake, and supporting digestive health.