High levels of estrogen may increase a woman's risk for breast cancer, according to the Cornell University Cancer Research Center. Estrogen is the female sex hormone which occurs naturally in the body but can also be supplemented with foods and wellness pills. A diet high in plant estrogen, also called phyto estrogen (from the Greek word "phyto" meaning plant), the strongest phytoestrogen foods include flaxseeds, oats, garlic, red clover, black cohosh, and soy, which includes soy milk, tofu, textured vegetable protein, and edamames. When considering a diet low in plant estrogen, consult with your health care provider; plant estrogens may also offer protection against health problems associated with menopause, such as hot flashes.
White-flour-based breads, cereal and pastas are low in plant estrogen. Enriched white-flour products have a low fiber content, fiber which helps a person break down foods and excrete toxins and chemicals into urine. Apart from being low in plant-estrogen, white flour products also inhibit estrogen absorption. This means that men or women who have high-estrogen levels that wish to cut back on estrogen can choose to have white-flour foods to decrease the amount of estrogen they take in daily.
Citrus fruits are estrogen inhibitors and low plant estrogen foods. Considered a strong anti-estrogenic food, citrus fruits are low in fiber, like white flour and white rice. Oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, lemons, limes and mandarins are also high-citrus, low estrogen fruits. Apart from their low plant estrogen content, citrus fruits supply essential vitamins and minerals.
Unprocessed dairy products, such as organic whole milk, butter, cheeses and ice creams, are low in plant estrogens. Women and men seeking to increase their estrogen hormone levels drink soy milk and other soy dairy products because soy, according to the Cornell University Cancer Research Center, is the strongest phytoestrogens, or plant estrogen, food source. To eat foods that have low plant estrogen, stick with whole milk dairy products and aged, whole milk cheeses.