Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Hormones throughout a Human Lifespan: A Review

Abstract

Dietary phytoestrogens are bioactive compounds with estrogenic activity. With the growing popularity of plant-based diets, the intake of phytoestrogen-rich legumes (especially soy) and legume-derived foods has increased. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests these compounds may have an effect on hormones and health, although the results of human trials are unclear. The effects of dietary phytoestrogens depend on the exposure (phytoestrogen type, matrix, concentration, and bioavailability), ethnicity, hormone levels (related to age, sex, and physiological condition), and health status of the consumer. In this review, we have summarized the results of human studies on dietary phytoestrogens with the aim of assessing the possible hormone-dependent outcomes and health effects of their consumption throughout a lifespan, focusing on pregnancy, childhood, adulthood, and the premenopausal and postmenopausal stages. In pregnant women, an improvement of insulin metabolism has been reported in only one study. Sex hormone alterations have been found in the late stages of childhood, and goitrogenic effects in children with hypothyroidism. In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, the reported impacts on hormones are inconsistent, although beneficial goitrogenic effects and improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers have been described in postmenopausal individuals. In adult men, different authors report goitrogenic effects and a reduction of insulin in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. Further carefully designed studies are warranted to better elucidate the impact of phytoestrogen consumption on the endocrine system at different life stages.

Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) Demonstrates Oncostatic Activity in the Therapeutic and Preventive Model of Breast Carcinoma

“…A plethora of papers from preclinical research have documented the antiproliferative activities of phytochemicals in breast carcinoma models [ 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Several pathways/mechanisms such as COX-2, Nrf2, poly-ADP-ribosylation, Hedgehog, Wnt, Plk1, STAT3, NF-κB, PI3 kinase, or epigenetic modulations are implied in the modulation of cancer proliferation [ 54 ].…”

Natural Herbal Estrogen-Mimetics (Phytoestrogens) Promote the Differentiation of Fallopian Tube Epithelium into Multi-Ciliated Cells via Estrogen Receptor Beta

“…Because all living things necessarily liaise with the external environment, they would be easily affected by ingested foodstuff. Phytoestrogen is an organic compound with estrogen-mimetic effects, and it is produced and stored in some plants such as soybeans, sprouts, and seeds [ 10 ]. Taking advantage of their effects, these plants are prescribed as unauthorized medicinal natural supplements to treat some diseases [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Phytoestrogen is an organic compound with estrogen-mimetic effects, and it is produced and stored in some plants such as soybeans, sprouts, and seeds [ 10 ]. Taking advantage of their effects, these plants are prescribed as unauthorized medicinal natural supplements to treat some diseases [ 10 , 11 ]. Conversely, a higher dosage of phytoestrogens has been suggested to stimulate the proliferation of ER-dependent breast cancer cells [ 12 ].…”

Dietary Polyphenols and Human Health

“…In this Special Issue on "Dietary Polyphenols and Human Health", a series of 10 papers are presented, including three literature reviews [6][7][8] and seven original research papers [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The described research contributes to filling some of the gaps in our knowledge about the beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols on chronic health conditions, notably cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, neurological impairment, and also certain risk factors.…”

“…The role of microbiota is especially relevant, as flavan-3-ols are poorly absorbed and their metabolization and absorption largely depend on the activity of colonic bacteria [7]. In the third review, Domínguez-López et al explore the effects of phytoestrogens on human hormone-dependent outcomes throughout the human lifespan, divided into stages of pregnancy, childhood, adulthood, and the pre-and post-menopause [8].…”