April 6/Milwaukee/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-- Soy may benefit women going through menopause. A review of 19 previous studies involving more than 1,200 women found that two daily servings of soy can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

The analysis, published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Association, indicates that this soy diet reduced hot flashes by up to 26% when compared to a placebo.

Up to now, studies have differed on the benefits of soy for menopausal women, with some suggesting benefit and others finding none or very little. The possible link between soy and reduction of hot flashes was first cited by researchers who observed that Japanese women appeared to have fewer hot flashes.

Examining multiple studies of the link, "we've found the overall effect is still positive," said Melissa Melby, co-author of the study and a medical anthropology professor at the University of Delaware.

 From the April 6, 2012, Prepared Foods’ Daily News