Diet quality, body weight, and postmenopausal hot flashes: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial Original paper

What was studied?

This study investigates how dietary quality, body weight, and the consumption of plant-based foods affect postmenopausal hot flashes. It specifically examines the relationship between hot flash severity and frequency and dietary patterns as measured by three dietary indices: plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI). The research aimed to assess the effect of a low-fat vegan diet, supplemented with soybeans, on the reduction of hot flashes, comparing it with a control group that maintained their usual diet.

Who was studied?

The study included 84 postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65, who reported at least two moderate-to-severe hot flashes per day. Participants were randomly assigned to either a vegan group, which followed a low-fat vegan diet supplemented with soybeans, or a control group that maintained their usual diet. Participants were excluded if they had specific health conditions like eating disorders, were on weight-loss medications, or had a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 kg/m². The study was conducted over 12 weeks, with regular measurements of hot flash severity, frequency, and body weight.

Most important findings

The study found that participants in the vegan group experienced a significant reduction in hot flash severity and frequency compared to the control group. Severe hot flashes in the vegan group decreased by 92%, from 1.3 to 0.1 per day, while the control group showed no significant change. The plant-based diet, particularly the reduction in animal products and oils, positively influenced the reduction of hot flashes and body weight. Additionally, higher PDI and hPDI scores were negatively associated with changes in body weight and hot flash severity, even after adjusting for changes in body mass index (BMI). These findings suggest that dietary quality, specifically plant-based food consumption, plays a crucial role in managing menopausal symptoms.

Key implications

The results suggest that adopting a plant-based diet, particularly one low in fats and supplemented with soybeans, could be an effective strategy for alleviating hot flashes in postmenopausal women. This approach could serve as a non-hormonal alternative for managing menopausal symptoms, particularly for women seeking lifestyle changes or alternatives to hormone therapy. The study highlights the importance of focusing on the healthfulness of plant-based foods, rather than categorizing them as simply “healthy” or “unhealthy,” as the findings show that both healthful and unhealthful plant foods contributed to positive changes in hot flash frequency and severity.