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It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.

Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

 


 

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Should my daughter avoid edamame because it contains estrogen?

My 11 year old daughter loves edamame (Japanese name for fresh green soy beans) However, I've heard that too much edamame is not good for you since it has estrogen. Is this true?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

The most recent research indicates that the type of phytoestrogens (isoflavones) found in soy products are probably not harmful. One study showed that those Asian women eating the highest amounts of isoflavones (about 50 times the amount that Westerners typically eat) actually had a reduced incidence of breast cancer.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet