Dietary soy phytoestrogens produce anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze

Naturally occurring estrogen-like molecules in plants (phytoestrogens), pre sent via soy, in animal diets, exert many of the biological responses evoke d by physiological estrogens. This study characterized the effects of dieta ry phytoestrogens on the expression of body weight, consummatory behavior, and anxiety (as expressed in the elevated plus-maze). Phytoestrogens produc ed anxiolytic effects in both mate and female Long-Evans rats. Additionally , phytoestrogens decreased body weight but increased consumption of food an d/or water. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.