A single daily serving of vegetable protein from foods such as whole grains, soy, and tofu may protect women from early menopause and could prolong their reproductive function, researchers say.
Early menopause, the cessation of ovarian function before age 45 affects about 10 percent of women globally and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and early cognitive decline.
The study, appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed that women consuming approximately 6.5 percent of their daily calories as vegetable protein had a significant 16 percent lower risk of early menopause compared to women whose intake was approximately four percent.
For a woman with a 2,000 calorie per day diet, this was equal to three to four servings of such foods as enriched pasta, breakfast cereal, tofu, and nuts, or about 32.5 grams a day, the researchers explained. However, no similar relation to eating animal sources of protein was
"A better understanding of how dietary vegetable protein intake is associated with ovarian ageing may identify ways for women to modify their risk of early onset menopause and associated health conditions," said lead author Maegan Boutot from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. For the study, the team evaluated the relationship between diet and risk of early menopause among 116,000 women aged 25-42 years.
Early menopause, the cessation of ovarian function before age 45 affects about 10 percent of women globally and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and early cognitive decline.
The study, appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed that women consuming approximately 6.5 percent of their daily calories as vegetable protein had a significant 16 percent lower risk of early menopause compared to women whose intake was approximately four percent.
For a woman with a 2,000 calorie per day diet, this was equal to three to four servings of such foods as enriched pasta, breakfast cereal, tofu, and nuts, or about 32.5 grams a day, the researchers explained. However, no similar relation to eating animal sources of protein was
"A better understanding of how dietary vegetable protein intake is associated with ovarian ageing may identify ways for women to modify their risk of early onset menopause and associated health conditions," said lead author Maegan Boutot from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. For the study, the team evaluated the relationship between diet and risk of early menopause among 116,000 women aged 25-42 years.