Vegan Diet & Hot Flashes: New Study Findings
- A new analysis reveals that postmenopausal women who adopted a vegan diet, including daily servings of soybeans, experienced a significant decrease in hot flashes.
- The research indicated that participants on the vegan diet lost an average of 8 pounds over 12 weeks, compared to about half a pound in the control group,...
- Stephanie Faubion, medical director for the Menopause Society, emphasized the broader health advantages of plant-based diets.
Postmenopausal women, take note: This new study unveils how a vegan diet drastically cuts hot flashes. Researchers discovered a 12-week vegan eating plan, incorporating daily soybeans, slashed hot flashes by nearly 90% in postmenopausal women. Moreover, participants shed an average of 8 pounds. Whether the food was processed or not didn’t matter; the plant-based diet’s core benefits shone. This research suggests surprising links to metabolic shifts and possibly reduced risks for cardiovascular disease. News Directory 3 reported how health experts are taking notice, especially given the broader health advantages of a vegan lifestyle. will a vegan diet become the new go-to strategy? Discover what’s next in managing menopausal symptoms and read this study.
Vegan diet Reduces Hot Flashes, Aids Weight Loss in Menopausal Women
Updated June 12, 2025
A new analysis reveals that postmenopausal women who adopted a vegan diet, including daily servings of soybeans, experienced a significant decrease in hot flashes. The study suggests that a plant-based diet may offer benefits for both hot flash management and weight management,irrespective of how processed the food is.
The research indicated that participants on the vegan diet lost an average of 8 pounds over 12 weeks, compared to about half a pound in the control group, which maintained their regular omnivorous eating habits. This highlights the potential of a vegan diet for weight loss.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for the Menopause Society, emphasized the broader health advantages of plant-based diets. “Given these and the other known benefits in terms of lowering heart disease and cancer risk, women in midlife should consider leaning into a plant-based diet,” Faubion said.
Earlier studies had already pointed to the benefits of a low-fat vegan diet supplemented with soybeans in reducing hot flashes and body weight. The new study delved deeper, examining whether the level of food processing affected these outcomes.
Eighty-four postmenopausal women experiencing frequent hot flashes were divided into two groups: one following a low-fat vegan diet with daily soybeans, and a control group maintaining their usual diet. The vegan group enjoyed meals like cinnamon apple oatmeal, black bean sweet potato chili, and pita pizza.
The vegan diet led to a roughly 90% reduction in severe and moderate hot flashes, dropping from an average of five per day to less than one. In contrast, the control group saw only a 34% decrease.
Interestingly,the study found that even ultra-processed plant-based foods did not negate the positive effects on weight and hot flashes. The key factor was whether the food was plant-based or animal-based,not its level of processing.
Dr. Hana Kahleova, the lead study author, noted that the improvements in hot flashes were greater than anticipated. she also highlighted the link between hot flashes and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
While weight loss is known to aid hot flash management, Kahleova believes the benefits of a vegan diet extend beyond this. She suggests that fiber and isoflavones in soy contribute to metabolic changes and hot flash reduction.
“Hot flashes have also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. so this significant reduction not only increases quality of life, but overall health,” Kahleova said.
Dr. Karen Adams, director of the Stanford Program in Menopause and Healthy Aging, acknowledged the anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based diets but cautioned against guaranteeing symptom enhancement solely through diet.
Faubion also stated that current evidence is insufficient to recommend a specific hot-flash diet, noting that weight loss has stronger evidence. However, she acknowledged the numerous health benefits of a plant-based diet, including reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
What’s next
Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the benefits of a vegan diet on hot flashes and to determine the optimal dietary approaches for managing menopausal symptoms. Women struggling with hot flashes should consult with their health care provider to determine the best course of action.