Isoflavones, lignans and stilbenes – origins, metabolism and potential importance to human health

Interest in the physiological role of the bioactive compounds present in plants has increased dramatically over the last decade. Of particular interest in relation to human health are the class of compounds known as the phytoestrogens, which embody several groups of non‐steroidal oestrogens including isoflavones, lignans and stilbenes that are widely distributed within the plant kingdom. These compounds have a wide range of hormonal and non‐hormonal activities in animals or in vitro and these suggest plausible mechanisms for potential health effects of diets rich in these compounds in humans. In addition, experimental and epidemiological data are available to support the concept that phytoestrogen‐rich diets exert physiological effects, and preliminary human studies suggest a potential role for dietary phytoestrogens in affecting hormone‐dependent disease rates. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry