How to Use phytoestrogen in a Sentence

phytoestrogen

noun
  • In theory, too much phytoestrogen could stunt breast size, not grow it.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
  • These phytoestrogen types are found in foods like soy (tofu, miso, tempeh, edamame), legumes, and lentils.
    — Wendy Wisner, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The internet is fraught with claims that these phytoestrogens cause breasts to grow or increase the risk of breast cancer.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
  • Consumers need to be more worried about supplements that are high in phytoestrogen.
    — Tyler Jett, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2020
  • Pea protein's phytoestrogen content is not likely to have any effect on hormone levels in adults.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2022
  • Red clover’s effectiveness for menopause symptoms is probably due to its isoflavones, which act as a phytoestrogen (much like soy).
    — Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2022
  • Isoflavones and Anthocyanins Isoflavones, sometimes called phytoestrogens, are found in soy, lentils, and legumes.
    — Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024
  • High in phytoestrogens, a tea of the plant’s leaves and flowers is used to control hot flashes, breast tenderness, and other symptoms of menopause.
    — Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, 28 July 2016
  • The herb is also considered a phytoestrogen.
    — Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Soy is a phytoestrogen and the most significant food source of isoflavones (compounds that mimic the structure of estrogen).
    — Joy Emeh, Health, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Research shows that soy milk and soy formula contain up to 4,500 times the level of phytoestrogens found in cow’s milk or breast milk.
    — Deborah Blum, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
  • When estrogen levels are low, phytoestrogens can mimic the hormone's effects.
    — Joy Emeh, Health, 22 June 2026
  • However, because there's some evidence that phytoestrogens can have the opposite effect on breast cancer, go easy on it.
    — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, 3 Apr. 2017
  • Some are worried that phytoestrogens in soy might increase the risk of breast cancer, thyroid conditions, or dementia, although these claims haven’t been proven.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The idea that plant hormones—such as genistein, the primary phytoestrogen in soy—can interfere with mammalian development is not new.
    — Deborah Blum, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
  • Soybean sprouts, in particular, are rich in natural plant compounds called phytoestrogens.
    — Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
  • Soy and other foods like wheat, lentils and apples contain a naturally occurring hormone called isoflavone, a type of plant estrogen (or phytoestrogen).
    — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2021
  • All are great choices, Mohr says, including soy protein, which sometimes gets a bad rap because of false claims that its phytoestrogens cause breasts to grow or increase the risk of breast cancer.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024
  • Each bottle contains 130mg of horny goat weed extract with a natural assortment of active phytoestrogens.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2023
  • Gentile cites recent research showing that proteins from phytoestrogens—whole soy foods such as edamame (soybeans) or tofu—help support muscle and increase the lean mass of older adults.
    — Denise Maher, Flow Space, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Simply part your hair and glide it along your scalp to let the treatment’s blend of growth-boosting peptides, circulation-enhancing caffeine, and phytoestrogens like genistein get to work.
    — Emily Orofino, Vogue, 29 June 2025
  • One social media theory is that because bee pollen contains what’s known as phytoestrogens, these can bind to the estrogen receptors in the breast tissues, stimulating growth.
    — Kylie Gilbert, Glamour, 16 Aug. 2023
  • Radiation exposure and substances that act like estrogen, such as synthetic estrogens and phytoestrogens, are two things that can damage breast cancer cells and cause breast cancer.
    — Ladan Nikravan Hayes, Cincinnati.com, 26 June 2019
  • Soy foods are often recommended for postmenopausal women because of the phytoestrogens (known as soy isoflavones), which may provide an estrogen-like effect in the body as estrogen levels decrease.
    — Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 18 June 2024
  • Flaxseed Supplements Flaxseed supplements contain phytoestrogens called lignans, which imitate the estrogen in your body and in your birth control pills.
    — Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 11 Jan. 2026
  • As well as helping compensate for declining oestrogen, phytoestrogens also contain antioxidants which help fight cell damage linked to chronic diseases.
    — Georgia Day, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2023
  • Lower Blood Pressure Pumpkin seed oil is full of phytoestrogens, which research shows are beneficial for preventing hypertension.
    — Dailyburn, Health.com, 8 Oct. 2014
  • With her background in the beauty industry, Cecil Booth was able to work with some of the top scientists in the field to formulate the phytoestrogen combination that would result in the greatest benefit for your skin.
    — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2017
  • The plant is popular in Traditional Chinese Medicine because it’s filled with phytoestrogens (thought to support women going through menopause), as well as may promote heart health and reduce inflammation.
    — Ana Morales, Vogue, 13 June 2026
  • According to 2008 research by University of Reading food and nutritional sciences professor Gunter Kuhnle, about three-fourths of the phytoestrogen in almonds belongs to a class known as lignans.
    — Tyler Jett, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phytoestrogen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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