Drinking soy milk may protect women with polycystic ovary syndrome from heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a study has found. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by a hormonal imbalance and stops the ovaries working properly.
It can cause fertility problems, irregular periods, acne, weight gain, thinning hair on the scalp and excess hair on the body.
Researchers said compounds found in soy products, including soy milk or soybeans, can improve women’s heart and metabolic health. This is because soy is a source of plant estrogen, helping to correct the hormone imbalance triggered by PCOS.
The other 35 women received a placebo. They were told to maintain their normal levels of exercise and asked to avoid taking other supplements during the study. Blood samples were taken from the women at the beginning and end of the study.
The blood samples were analysed to measure hormone and fat levels, as well as biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation. Insulin resistance and inflammation are associated with diseases like type 2 diabetes, strokes and heart disease.
