Survey study, 2018
Does equol production status affect PMS symptoms in female athletes?
Women who couldn't produce equol from soy were 3.34 times more likely to have poor athletic performance from PMS symptoms. But this is a small study in Japanese athletes only, so results may not apply widely.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 88 Japanese collegiate female athletes. Researchers tested their ability to produce equol (a compound from soy) using a urine test after eating soy, and asked about PMS symptoms and athletic performance.
What they found
29.5% of athletes were equol producers. 54.5% had athletic performance affected by PMS. Non-producers had 3.34 times higher odds of poor athletic performance (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 12.20). Weight restriction had 4.94 times higher odds (95% confidence interval 1.47 to 20.00).
What it means for you
Equol production status might be linked to PMS severity in athletes. However, this is a small study in one country with one specific population. The study doesn't explain why equol matters or whether findings apply to non-athletes.
29.5%
Equol producers
54.5%
Athletes with PMS affecting performance
3.34
Odds ratio for non-producers having poor performance
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptoms interference and equol production status in Japanese collegiate athletes: A cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Takeda T, Ueno T, Uchiyama S et al.
- Journal
- The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
- Year
- 2018
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 88
- What was tested
- Equol production status measured after soy challenge test
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jog.13552
Topics
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