Naturally occurring oestrogens in food

Edible plants contain a number of natural compounds which mimic the biologi cal effects of oestrogens by virtue of their ability to bind to and activat e the nuclear oestrogen receptors. These hormone-like diphenolic phyto-oest rogens of dietary origin include isoflavonoids, coumestans and lignans. Our interest in these phyto-oestrogens derives from the results of epidemiolog ical studies on diet and Western diseases including hormone-dependent cance rs as well as coronary heart disease. Incidences of the diseases in questio n are lower in peoples of Asia compared to inhabitants of industrialized Am erican and European countries. Using isotope dilution gas chromatography-ma ss spectrometry method we have identified and measured in foods the precurs ors of the biologically active compounds detected in plasma of subjects liv ing in areas with low cancer incidence. Biochanin A, formononetin, daidzein , genistein, and coumestrol, and the lignans matairesinol and secoisolarici resinol have been found to possess oestrogenic, anti-oestrogenic, antioxida tive, antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal or fungistatic properties and they have been shown to be antiproliferative in relation to many types of t umours in cell culture. We report quantitative results for these plant oest rogens measured in soybeans and other legumes, oilseeds and nuts, grain and cereals, berries and fruits, cruciferous, allium and other vegetables, and beverages such as tea and coffee.