Generous intake of soy foods and isoflavones may contribute positively to the prevention of bone fracture in postmenopausal women.

This study examined the relationship between soy food intake and bone fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Using validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers evaluated the diets of 24,403 postmenopausal women without any history of cancer and bone fracture incidence. The bone fracture relative risk was measured in all the subjects.

Researchers discovered that high consumption of soy foods and isoflavones reduced bone fracture risk in postmenopausal women. This bone fracture protective effect of soy foods was found to be stronger in women in the early stages of menopause. The findings of this study provide evidence that increased consumption of diets rich in soy foods and isoflavones may confer significant protection against bone fracture in postmenopausal women.