Whole soy, but not purified daidzein, had a favorable effect on improvement of cardiovascular risks: A 6‐month randomized, double‐blind, and placebo‐controlled trial in equol‐producing postmenopausal women

SCOPE: Equol is produced by the intestinal bacteria from isoflavone daidzein. Studies have reported the health benefits of soy can only present or more pronounced in equol producers. This 6‐month randomized controlled trial examined the effect of whole soy (soy flour) and purified daidzein on cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) in prehypertensive postmenopausal women who were equol producers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred seventy eligible women were randomized to either one of the three treatments: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low‐fat milk powder + 63 mg daidzein (daidzein group), or 40 g low‐fat milk powder (placebo group) daily each for 6 months. Fasting venous samples were obtained at baseline and end of trial for testing glucose, lipids, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), and free fatty acid. Changes in common CIMT were also assessed. Serum LDL‐C decreased by 7.95% (95% CI: −15.09∼−0.81%) and 6.32% (95% CI: −13.45∼0.08%), and serum hs‐CRP decreased by 0.164 (95% CI: −0.309∼−0.019) and 0.054 (95% CI: −0.199∼0.012) in the whole soy group compared with daidzein and milk placebo groups, respectively. No significant change in CIMT was found. CONCLUSION: Whole soy, but not purified daidzein, had a beneficial effect on reduction of LDL‐C and hs‐CRP among prehypertensive equol‐producing postmenopausal women.