Can I eat soya?

Nutritionist Caroline Bunker replies:

You're right that there are issues surrounding soya, with one recent study suggesting that eating soya may reduce a woman's chances of conceiving. It's all because soya contains a form of oestrogen - called phytoestrogen - and experts already know that oestrogen can suppress ovulation. It's not clear whether phytoestrogen has exactly the same effect as oestrogen until more research is done, but in the meantime some experts advise avoiding soya if you're undergoing fertility treatment. Likewise, if you're trying to conceive naturally, I'd say it might be worth avoiding soya products - particularly around the time you ovulate - even if there's only a slim chance that it affects your fertility. Once you're pregnant there's no need to avoid it though.

Start a discussion :: Print this article ::