Red Clover Research
44 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8/10
The effectiveness of nutritional supplements in improving polycystic ovary syndrome in women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Zhao G et al. • Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E (2025)
Chromium, inositol, and Omega-3 were found to be beneficial for improving lipid profile.
- Inositol significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while curcumin was most effective in improving low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
- Chromium, inositol, and Omega-3 were found to be beneficial for improving lipid profile.
- For improving obesity, sex hormone levels, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators of PCOS patients, carnitine, chromium, and soy isoflavones are effective options, respectively.
Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Measures of Estrogenicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Viscardi G et al. • Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2025)
All rights reserved.
- Addressing public health concerns may promote soy foods as high-quality plant protein sources with low environmental impact and cost, particularly benefiting postmenopausal women and aligning with sustainable dietary patterns and guidelines.
- This study was registered in PROSPERO as CRD42023439239.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s).
- Published by Elsevier Inc.
Soy Consumption and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zuo X et al. • Nutrients (2023)
This study has been registered on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022360504).
- A daily intake of 26.7 g of tofu reduced CVDs risk by 18% (TRR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74-0.92) and 11.1 g of natto lowered the risk of CVDs by 17% (TRR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.89), especially stroke.
- This meta-analysis demonstrated that soy consumption was negatively associated with the risks of T2D and CVDs and a specific quantity of soy products was the most beneficial for the prevention of T2D and CVDs.
- This study has been registered on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022360504).
Effects of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Luan H et al. • PeerJ (2025)
More trials should be conducted in the future to validate our findings.©2025 Luan et al.
- In October 2024, we screened 2,099 articles, of which 12 were eligible for meta-analysis, and found that soy isoflavones were effective for treating menopausal symptoms (seven studies, 533 participants, Hedges' g = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.42 to -0.08], p = 0.00).
- However, our results should be interpreted with caution owing to the small sample size.
- More trials should be conducted in the future to validate our findings.©2025 Luan et al.
Soy isoflavones prevent bone resorption and loss, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Akhlaghi M et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2020)
Soy isoflavones prevent osteoporosis-related bone loss in any weight status or treatment duration.
- Soy isoflavones prevent osteoporosis-related bone loss in any weight status or treatment duration.
- They increase BMD in normal weight subjects and diminish bone resorption in overweight/obese individuals.
- Although bone resorption may be decelerated over short-term isoflavone consumption, periods longer than a year are probably needed to affect BMD.
Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies
Reed KE et al. • Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) (2021)
All rights reserved.
- Sub-analysis of the data according to isoflavone dose and study duration also showed no effect.
- This updated and expanded meta-analysis indicates that regardless of dose and study duration, neither soy protein nor isoflavone exposure affects TT, FT, E2 or E1 levels in men.Copyright © 2020 The Author(s).
- Published by Elsevier Inc.
Efficacy of vaginal therapies alternative to vaginal estrogens on sexual function and orgasm of menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pitsouni E et al. • European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology (2018)
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- Dyspareunia and/or vaginal dryness were assessed in 72% of the articles, while the FSD and orgasm in 45% and 28% of articles, respectively.
- Sexuality scores of lubricants were inferior to estrogens [3 studies, n = 138, standardized mean difference (smd) -0.64, (95%CI -1.1, -0.2)].
- Orgasm domain was the same for the DHEA 0.5% and placebo (2 studies, n = 663, smd 1.29 (95% -0.47, 3.05), I2:90%).
Efficacy of red clover isoflavones for menopausal hot flushes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Myers SP et al. • Maturitas (2017)
Red clover isoflavones significantly reduced hot flush frequency in menopausal women compared to placebo in pooled analysis.
- Significant reduction in daily hot flush frequency vs placebo
- 40-80 mg/day isoflavone dose range most effective
- Favorable safety profile with no significant estrogenic effects on breast or endometrium
Red clover isoflavones and menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lipovac M et al. • Climacteric (2012)
Red clover isoflavones significantly reduced hot flash frequency compared to placebo.
- Significant reduction in hot flashes
- Effects seen after 4-12 weeks
- Well-tolerated in studies
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Dietary Isoflavones on Female Hormone-Dependent Cancers for Benefit-Risk Evaluation
Chakravarti B et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2024)
Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering the intake of dietary isoflavones in female hormone-dependent cancer patients, particularly in the form of supplements.© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- On the other hand, dietary isoflavones increased tumor area (Hedge's g = 1.136, 95% CI = 0.752 to 1.520, p = 0.000).
- Dietary isoflavones have potential benefits and risks in female hormone-dependent cancers.
- Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering the intake of dietary isoflavones in female hormone-dependent cancer patients, particularly in the form of supplements.© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The association between soy-based food and soy isoflavone intake and the risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Wang Y et al. • Journal of the science of food and agriculture (2021)
However, high intake of isoflavones may not be associated with the incidence of GC. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
- The results showed that isoflavone intake might be a protective factor to GC, but the result was not statistically significant (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.79-1.07).
- However, total soybean intake could significantly decrease the risk of GC by 36% (RR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.51-0.80), which might be credited to non-fermented soybean products (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.71-0.87).
- In contrast, high intake of fermented soybean products could increase the risk of GC (RR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.38).
Effects of isoflavone interventions on bone turnover markers and factors regulating bone metabolism in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Inpan R et al. • Archives of osteoporosis (2024)
This systematic review and meta-analysis highlight the potential of isoflavone interventions to rectify imbalances in bone remodeling, enhance bone mineral homeostasis, and optimize hormones regulating bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.
- Hormones involved in regulating bone metabolism, particularly insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1), exhibited significant increases following isoflavone interventions (MD = 9.8163 ng/mL; P < 0.0001).
- This systematic review and meta-analysis highlight the potential of isoflavone interventions to rectify imbalances in bone remodeling, enhance bone mineral homeostasis, and optimize hormones regulating bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Isoflavone intervention and its impact on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Inpan R et al. • Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA (2024)
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that isoflavone interventions, especially those containing genistein of at least 50 mg/day, can effectively enhance BMD in postmenopausal women.
- This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that isoflavone interventions, especially those containing genistein of at least 50 mg/day, can effectively enhance BMD in postmenopausal women.
- Published in Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Flavonoid subclasses and CHD risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Fan ZK et al. • The British journal of nutrition (2022)
The present results indicate that dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables abundant five flavonoid subclasses, namely anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, flavones and isoflavones, are associated with a lower risk of CHD.
- Multivariate-adjust relative risks (RR) with corresponding 95 % CI were pooled by using a random-effects model.
- Dose-response analysis showed that increment of 50 mg/d anthocyanins, 100 mg/d proanthocyanidins, 25 mg/d flavonols, 5 mg/d flavones and 0·5 mg/d isoflavones were associated with 5 % reduction in CHD risk, respectively.
- Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were used to further support these associations.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract and its isoflavones on bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lambert MNT et al. • Nutrients (2020)
Red clover isoflavone supplementation attenuated bone mineral density loss in early postmenopausal women.
- Attenuated lumbar spine bone mineral density loss vs placebo
- Most effective within first 5 years post-menopause
- Biochanin A and formononetin identified as key active isoflavones
Isoflavones for hypercholesterolaemia in adults
Qin Y et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2013)
We found no evidence for effects of isoflavones on patient-important outcomes or lowering of cholesterol levels in people with hypercholesterolaemia.
- There was a slight significant effect on triglycerides in favour of isoflavones when compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) -0.46 mmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.84 to -0.09; P = 0.02; 52 participants; 2 trials).
- No statistically significant effects on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were shown in favour of isoflavones.
- We found no evidence for effects of isoflavones on patient-important outcomes or lowering of cholesterol levels in people with hypercholesterolaemia.
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga spp.) for menopausal symptoms
Leach MJ et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms.
- Compared to black cohosh, hormone therapy significantly reduced daily hot flush frequency (three trials; data not pooled) and menopausal symptom scores (SMD 0.32; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.51; P=0.0009; 468 women; five trials; substantial heterogeneity: I(2) = 69%).
- Comparisons of the effectiveness of black cohosh and other interventions were either inconclusive (because of considerable heterogeneity or an insufficient number of studies) or not statistically significant.
- There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms.
Phytonutrients and outcomes following breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
van Die MD et al. • JNCI cancer spectrum (2024)
Soy, enterolactone, and green tea demonstrated significant risk reductions in outcomes following breast cancer.
- Soy protein and products were inversely associated with cancer-specific mortality for estrogen receptor-positive disease (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.92).
- An inverse association was observed for serum or plasma enterolactone, measured prediagnosis and early postdiagnosis, with cancer-specific mortality (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.90) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.83).
- There was a 44% reduced risk of recurrence with prediagnostic green tea for stage I and II breast cancer (HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.83).
The effect of soy isoflavones given to women in the climacteric period on menopausal symptoms and quality of life: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Gençtürk N et al. • Explore (New York, N.Y.) (2024)
According to the results of the analysis, soy isoflavones had no effect on menopausal symptoms (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, sexual, and urogenital complaints) and quality of life in climacteric women but did reduce the level of depression.
- According to the results of the analysis, soy isoflavones had no effect on menopausal symptoms (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, sexual, and urogenital complaints) and quality of life in climacteric women but did reduce the level of depression.
- There was a high risk of conflict of interest in the included studies.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of whey and soy protein supplementation on inflammatory cytokines in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Prokopidis K et al. • The British journal of nutrition (2023)
These data support that whey and soy protein supplementation elicit anti-inflammatory effects by reducing circulating IL-6 and TNF-α levels, respectively.
- A significant reduction of circulating IL-6 levels following whey protein [Mean Difference (MD): -0·79, 95 % CI: -1·15, -0·42, I2 = 96 %] and TNF-α levels following soy protein supplementation (MD: -0·16, 95 % CI: -0·26, -0·05, I2 = 68 %) was observed.
- The addition of soy isoflavones exerted a further decline in circulating TNF-α levels (MD: -0·20, 95 % CI: -0·31, -0·08, I2 = 34 %).
- According to subgroup analysis, whey protein led to a statistically significant decrease in circulating IL-6 levels in individuals with sarcopenia and pre-frailty (MD: -0·98, 95 % CI: -1·56, -0·39, I2 = 0 %).