Soy Isoflavones in Breastfed Infants
A small recent study took a look at how soy isoflavone levels changed in infants fed soy isoflavone-containing breast milk, in infants fed tofu, and in mothers drinking a soy protein beverage.
The researchers found that soy isoflavone levels increased significantly in mothers consuming a single soy protein beverage for 2 to 4 days, and by even higher amounts in the infants exposed to breast milk from these mothers. The increase in soy isoflavone levels in tofu-fed infants was even greater — more than ten times greater.
To the extent that the soy isoflavones have an estrogenic effect, these results suggest that nursing mothers and infants may want to avoid/minimize the consumption of soy products.
