Women who regularly consume plant proteins such as whole grains, oilseeds and tofu reduce their risk of early menopause and could prolong their fertility, depending on results of a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Early menopause, which begins before the age of 45, affects about 10% of women and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses, ofosteoporosis and early cognitive decline. Few studies have evaluated whether the intake of vegetable proteins plays a role in its appearance.
Researchers at the universities of Massachusetts and Harvard in the United States conducted a large-scale study with 116,000 women aged 25 to 42 to understand the relationship between diet and the risk of early menopause.
“A better understanding of how plant protein consumption is associated with aging ovaries may identify ways for women to modify their risk of early menopause and associated health conditions,” said Professor Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, author of the study.
Participants reported how often they ate a single serving of 131 foods, drinks and supplements during the year, from “never to at least once a month” to “6 times a day”.
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Researchers found that women consuming about 6.5% of their daily calories as plant protein had a significant 16% lower risk of early menopause compared to women whose consumption was about 4% of their calories.
For a woman eating a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet, the authors explain that this is equal to three to four servings of plant protein, or about 32.5 grams per day.
“Although relatively few women in our study consumed very high levels of plant protein and our analytical power was limited, women consuming 9% or more of their calories from plant protein had a lower risk of menopause. early compared to those who ate less than 4%, ”says Professor Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, author of the study.
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