The interest in the potential health effects of dietary phytoestrogens has increased with the
findings that hormone replacement therapy is not as safe or effective as previously thought.
This review summarizes the dietary sources of the phytoestrogens; isoflavonoids, stilbenes,
coumestans and lignans. It also examines 105 clinical studies related to effects of
phytoestrogens on bone density, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, cognitive ability
and menopausal symptoms.