Phytoestrogens, or sometimes called as “dietary estrogens.” These have similar structures to that of estradiol, that has the ability to cause estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. To put it in a more understandable manner, let us break down the word. Phyto means plant, estrogen means the period of fertility for female animals, and gen is to generate. It’s like taking a substance from a plant, and that substance acting like estrogen in your body, thus, decreasing the symptoms of hot flashes, or helping you avert from them from the start.

These phytoestrogens can be found in many food sources such as : soy beans, tofu, soy beverages, linseed (flax), sesame seeds, wheat, berries, oats, barley, dried beans, lentils, rice, alfalfa, mung beans, apples, carrots, wheat germ, ricebran, soy linseed bread, ginseng and anise.

Many of the mentioned food are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which fights heart disease. Designing a meal which contain a variety of these food will help you avoid hot flashes in its onset, and possibly lessen any existing flashes experienced.