Estrogen omnipresent in foodstuffs

Food is a main source of exposure to endocrine active compounds, many of which have been linked to adverse health effects. Phytoestrogens, especially from soy, are the major dietary source of estrogenicity. However, foodstuffs contain a variety of estrogen-like compounds that might not be detected analytically.To assess the total estrogenic activity of foodstuff, researchers analyzed 18 food samples and five milk-based infant formulas. The estrogenicity in soy-free products was far lower. Researchers detected significant estrogenic activity in three infant formulas. Soy lecithin was also found to be strongly estrogenic. Hence, dietary estrogens are omnipresent and not limited to soy-based food. While the dietary exposure to estrogenic activity is lower than previously estimated, the results demonstrate that many food types are a source of unidentified estrogen-like compounds still awaiting toxicological evaluation. American Journal Preventive Medicine, September 2011