Tofu and Tempeh, the Mostly Sources of Phytoestrogens in Minangkabau Premenopausal Women Ethnicity

Abstract

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances that come from outside the body, especially from plants. Phytoestrogens can bind to estrogen receptors, causing estrogen-like effects. Consumption of phytoestrogens in premenopausal women may help estrogen function due to decreased production. This study aims to determine the source of phytoestrogens consumed by Minangkabau ethnic premenopausal women. This study used a cross-sectional design conducted on 127 premenopausal women in Padang City, West Sumatra. Data on the intake of source food ingredients were taken through guided interviews using a semiquantitative-food frequent questionnaire (SQ_FFQ). According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, the amount of phytoestrogen intake is calculated manually. The study results show five groups of food ingredients containing phytoestrogens most consumed by premenopausal women of Minangkabau ethnicity. It were tofu (97.62 grams/day); fish (70.7 grams/day); oranges (35.36 grams/day); potatoes (34 grams/day), and tempeh (23.3 grams/day). Meanwhile, most food sources of phytoestrogens are tofu (containing 19.26 mg of phytoestrogens / day), tempeh (15.6 mg / day), pure soybean milk (0.04 mg / day) and fish (0.1 mg / day). It can be concluded that tofu and tempeh are food sources of phytoestrogens that are mostly consumed by premenopausal women of Minangkabau ethnicity in Padang City.