Plant-Based Diet Effective for Weight Management and Hot Flash Reduction in Postmenopausal Women

A recent study published in the journal Menopause has revealed that adopting a plant-based diet, which eliminates animal products and incorporates unprocessed or ultra-processed plant foods such as soybeans, fruits, vegetables, breads, and cereals, can result in notable health benefits for postmenopausal women. The research found that women following this diet experienced a significant decrease in severe hot flashes—up to 92%—and gained substantial weight loss of approximately 8 pounds over a 12-week period.

The study was a secondary analysis of data from an earlier trial involving 84 postmenopausal women who suffered from frequent hot flashes. Participants were divided into two groups: one was instructed to follow a low-fat vegan diet that included half a cup of cooked soybeans daily, while the control group maintained their usual diet. Results showed the vegan group saw an 88% reduction in moderate-to-severe hot flashes compared to 34% in the control group. Additionally, the vegan group lost about 3.6 kilograms, whereas the control group only lost 0.2 kilograms.

Importantly, researchers examined the level of food processing using the NOVA system and discovered that the benefits—hot flash reduction and weight loss—were associated with decreases in both animal-based and processed plant-based foods. The findings suggest that increasing consumption of minimally processed or ultra-processed plant foods can offer significant health improvements, independent of processing levels.

Dr. Hana Kahleova, the director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, emphasized that avoiding animal products and embracing vegan foods like veggie burgers, breads, cereals, fruits, and vegetables may help mitigate hot flashes. She added that even ultra-processed plant foods such as soy milk and vegan meat alternatives can provide health benefits.

This research highlights the potential of dietary strategies centered around plant-based eating to support menopause management, emphasizing that such nutritional choices can be effective regardless of the degree of food processing. For more details, see the original study: Hana Kahleova et al, "Processed foods in the context of a vegan diet, and changes in body weight and severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women," Menopause (2025). Source.