Evidence that soy eases hot flashes inconclusive

Who'd a thunk it?

Despite supplement makers' claims and popular perceptions, the benefits of soy in fighting hot flashes in women going through menopause remain unproven, according to a new analysis of 19 studies.

Soy contains estrogen-like compounds, and researchers have proposed that the amount of soy a woman consumes may influence her risk of having hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. These symptoms are related to the sharp drop in estrogen levels that occurs as women stop menstruating, making it possible that high consumption of estrogen-like compounds could reduce their severity -- or eliminate them...

But because the various studies were so different from one another in terms of dosages used, outcomes measured, and other factors, the researchers say, firm conclusions can't be drawn from the current analysis.

Now how could the claims of supplement makers possibly be hyped?