There are mainly four kinds of phytoestrogens, including isoflavone, flavonoid, coumarin and lignan. The content of isoflavone is very abundant in soybeans and soybean products; and lignan is very abundant in flaxseed. Studies have shown that phytoestrogens have a potential protective effect on breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and some menopause syndromes. In the mean time, flavonoid and lignan have the antioxidant function.

Soybean contains a natural substance which is similar to female hormone, that is——isoflavone. As a natural plant estrogen, isoflavone can be used as a good substitute for hormone. At the same time, soybean contains soy saponin, which has some inhibiting effect on the occurrence of breast cancer. As a result, soybean is a healthy food for most women. Women in the menopausal period should increase their intake of soybean in daily diets. It can delay the time of menopause, reduce the irritability, insomnia, cardiovascular dysfunction and any other symptoms in menopausal period, as well as reduce the incidence of osteoporosis for elderly women in the postmenopausal period. For patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, if the estrogen level is very low in their body, they can also appropriately increase the proportion of soybean in their daily diets, so as to coordinate with the treatment and maintain the normal function of the ovarian.

Flaxseed contains very rich lignan, which has a good effect on the regulation of hormones. It can not only accelerate the metabolism of estrogen, but also has the functions of anti-atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure and anti-cancer. For women after menopausal period, as the estrogen level in their body is decreased, its protective role on the vascular is also reduced accordingly. As a result, appropriately increasing the intake of flaxseed can alleviate the rising of the blood pressure and the hardening of the blood vessels. What's more, it can also reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, as well as prevent colon cancer at the same time.

Besides the above mentioned food, there are also many other foods which are rich in phytoestrogens, such as tofu, sesame, garlic, green bean sprouts, dried apricots, sunflower seeds, chestnuts, olive oil, almonds, green beans and so on.

No matter how healthy the food is, if we take in too much of it, it will not bring good effects to our body. As a result, we should keep a balanced diet in our daily life, so as to maintain the normal functions of the body.