Study reveals tofu is linked to prostate cancer

A new study now finds that tofu is significantly associated with prostate cancer. However, according to experts, a lot more research is needed.

According to experts, plant-derived compounds known as phytoestrogens, which are mainly found in soy products such as tofu and edamame beans have already been linked to the condition due to their structural similarity to a hormone that increases the disease’s severity.

Lead author of the study, Dr Jianjun Zhang from Indiana University said that the study offers novel evidence that dietary intake of isoflavones [a type of phytoestrogens] has different effects on advanced and non-advanced prostate cancer.

However, other experts argue that much more research is required to determine soy’s prostate cancer-effects before it can be linked to the condition with any certainty.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Dr Jiri Kubes, a specialist in prostate cancer at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, Czech Republic, said that the rates of prostate cancer are rising rapidly, so it's essential more research needs to be carried out. At the moment, there are very few established risk factors.

Yet Prostate Cancer UK director Dr Iain Frame told The Express that the  study suggests a potential link between foods high in isoflavones such as soyabeans and tofu and increased risk of advanced prostate cancer, however, there is currently not enough concrete evidence to say whether this is actually the case.