As October’s Menopause Awareness Month approaches, a new poll shows that many women remain unaware of how diet changes can ease one of menopause’s most bothersome symptoms: hot flashes.
The survey, conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult in August 2025, asked more than 1,100 women about their understanding of diet and menopause.
Only 43% believed that food choices could influence the number or intensity of hot flashes, despite scientific evidence showing that a low-fat, plant-based diet including soy can make a big difference.
The poll also uncovered widespread confusion about soy and other plant-based foods.
Nearly one in five women thought soy should be avoided during menopause, even though research shows the opposite.
Some respondents believed that ultra-processed plant-based foods, like soy milk or plant-based meats, worsen hot flashes or cause weight gain, while others thought they reduce symptoms or promote weight loss.
“This is an important knowledge gap,” said Dr. Hana Kahleova, director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee.
“Our studies show that a low-fat, plant-based diet with soybeans can dramatically cut hot flashes and help women manage their weight. Even plant-based foods considered ultra-processed—like soy milk—still provide these benefits.”
Kahleova and Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee, led the Women’s Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS), published in Menopause in 2023.
That clinical trial found that women following a plant-based diet rich in soy reduced moderate to severe hot flashes by an average of 88% within 12 weeks.
They also lost about 8 pounds during the same period. Importantly, a follow-up analysis showed that the benefits appeared regardless of whether women ate minimally processed soybeans or more processed plant-based alternatives.
The WAVS study included 84 postmenopausal women experiencing at least two hot flashes per day. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group adopted a low-fat vegan diet with half a cup of cooked soybeans daily, while the control group made no dietary changes. After three months, the women on the plant-based diet reported dramatic relief from hot flashes and improved weight management.
Hot flashes affect about three out of four women during menopause. Yet, according to a 2024 report from the Menopause Society, these symptoms often receive little attention in routine medical care.
Dr. Vanita Rahman, clinic director at the Barnard Medical Center, says it is time for a shift. “This Menopause Awareness Month—and beyond—I encourage clinicians to talk with their patients about the benefits of a plant-based diet. It’s a simple, safe, and effective way to reduce hot flashes, support weight loss, and improve overall health.”
The new poll highlights how much work remains to raise awareness. For millions of women navigating menopause, food may hold an underused key to relief.
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