An estrogen-like substance made by some plants, including the soy plant. Soy isoflavones are being studied in the prevention of cancer, hot flashes that occur with menopause, and osteoporosis (loss of bone density).

Isoflavones are a class of organic compounds and biomolecules related to the flavonoids Kaufman PB, Duke JA, Brielmann H, Boik J, Hoyt JE (1997) “A comparative survey of leguminous plants as sources of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein: Implications for human nutrition and health” J Altern Compl Med 3:7-12. They act as phytoestrogens in mammals. They are also very strong antioxidants.