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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, M.D.
Dr. Gourmet