Women should eat tofu to protect bones after menopause

Soya protects the bone health of postmenopausal women

Researchers now found that post-menopausal women should regularly take tofu. Soybean-rich foods such as bean sprouts, miso and edamam beans strengthen the bones of women who are no longer fertile.

Researchers at the University of Missouri found in their current research that postmenopausal women should eat soybeans to strengthen their bones. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Bone Reports".

Tofu is a good source of protein that can protect women from breaking down bone density after their menopause. (Picture Brent Hofacker - fotolia)

After menopause, bone density decreases

Previous research has already suggested that women may lose up to 20 percent of their bone density in post-menopausal years. This is due to the menopause, which leads to a drop in the estrogen level. Such a decline causes bone cells to be absorbed more quickly than they are produced, exposing 30 percent of older women to osteoporosis, experts say.

Women should add soy to their diet

The current study shows that women can improve their bone strength by adding some soy-based whole foods to their diet, says study author Professor Pamela Hinton of the University of Missouri. The findings suggest that women do not even have to eat as much soya as is consumed in a typical Asian diet to benefit from tofu or other soy. Lower bones are already conducive to strengthening bones.

Hormonal effects of menopause were mimicked

For their study, the researchers fed mice over a period of between 28 and 30 weeks with a diet based either on soy or on corn. The mice were bred to be low in fitness. In some of the animals, the ovaries have been removed to mimic the hormonal effects of menopause, say the doctors. At the age of 55 to 57 weeks, the rats were then euthanized so that their bone strength could be compared.

How do certain protein sources affect bone health?

Previous studies have already shown that these animals are well suited for research. Understanding the effects of protein sources such as soy on the metabolism and bone health in the mice could help people to understand how such a diet can affect their health.

A soy-based diet improves the metabolic function?

The current results show that mice fed soy-based feeds have stronger tibial bone (tibial bone). Such animals are also significantly slimmer and have more stable blood sugar levels. All of these findings occur regardless of whether the rodents have their ovaries removed or not, explain the physicians. The findings suggest that all women have improved bone strength when adding some soy-based whole foods such as tofu and soy milk to their diet, says Professor Hinton. A soy-based diet could improve metabolic function for postmenopausal women. (As)