Daidzein
An isoflavone found in a number of plants, although soy is the primary food source. Daidzein is a phytoestrogen, and exerts weak estrogenic effects in animal studies. Intestinal bacteria play an important role in daidzein metabolism, which metabolize it to equol and/or O-desmethylangolensin – which are more biologically active than the parent compound. Equol is thought to have protective effects against both breast and prostate cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease. Equol production varies widely amongst individuals, however, which may explain the failure of many clinical studies to find substantial health benefits from soy consumption.
