Genistein (6) is a natural isoflavone primarily found in soybeans and soybean-enriched products. Many studies have reported a wide range of biological effects such as antioxidant, antiangiogenic, anthelmintic, and anticancer activity.

What foods are high in genistein?

The best known sources of genistein are soy-based foods, such as soy cheese or soy drinks (i.e., soy milk and soy-based beverages). The content of genistein in mature soybeans has been shown to range from 5.6 to 276 mg/100 g, and an average content of 81 mg/100 g is often described for comparative purposes (59).

What is genistein derived from?

Natural occurrences. Isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein are found in a number of plants including lupin, fava beans, soybeans, kudzu, and psoralea being the primary food source, also in the medicinal plants, Flemingia vestita and F. macrophylla, and coffee.