Isoflavones functional properties

Isoflavones are flavonoids commonly called as phytoestrogens and one of the most extensively investigated polyphenols. These are present in soybeans, soybean products, and other pulses, widely consumed in Asian and Southeast Asian coim-tries. Isoflavones have attracted attention mainly due to their role in the ameliora-ti(Mi of postmenopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and osteoporosis [52,58,59]. The other beneficial and important biological properties have been established which are related to effects on cardiovascular diseases, cognitive functions, and breast and prostate cancers. These conclusions were based on wide-ranging studies and parameters which showed positive effects, for example, reduction of hot flushes, the excretion of Ixme resorption markers, increase in bone mineral density, the lower LDL and total cholesterol, reduction in colon cancer, and modulation of immune function [60, 61]. Chemical structures of some important molecules of these phytochemical classes are represented in Fig. 82.3. 

---