Research paper
Effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Study answer
What this study found
Soy isoflavone supplementation produced a small but statistically significant reduction in blood pressure. Pooled effects favored soy isoflavones for systolic blood pressure (WMD, -1.40 mmHg; 95% CI, -2.62 to -0.14 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD, -1.11 mmHg; 95% CI, -1.91 to -0.30 mmHg). Benefits appeared more pronounced with interventions lasting at least 6 months, with mixed-type isoflavones, and in healthy participants as well as those with metabolic syndrome or prehypertension. No clear dose-response relationship was identified.
- Study & population
- This was a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in adults.
- Intervention
- Soy isoflavone supplementation alone was evaluated versus placebo across 24 randomized controlled trials.
- Key limitation
- The blood-pressure reduction was modest, and the evidence was drawn from trials with variable doses, durations, and participant populations.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Background Previous experimental studies have suggested that the consumption of soy isoflavones may have a potential impact on lowering blood pressure. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies have presented conflicting outcomes concerning the correlati…