Can Korean food Doenjang help alleviate menopausal syndrome?

The study, published in the journal Nutrients, sheds light on the potential health benefits of this ancient culinary staple.

Menopause brings hormonal changes and various physical and psychological symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and anxiety. Doenjang, a traditional Korean soybean paste, contains compounds with hormone-like and antioxidant properties. These include isoflavones, saponins, phytic acid, and phytosterols, which may alleviate discomfort and reduce oxidative damage associated with menopause.

In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 62 postmenopausal women aged over 40 received Doenjang supplementation with a Kupperman index score of ≥15, which is widely used as a diagnostic criterion for menopausal syndrome. Researchers explored the effects of Doenjang with varying levels of beneficial microbial strains and compared them to commercially available Doenjang. They assessed the alleviation of menopausal syndrome, anti-obesity, and lipid-lowering benefits across the three groups. Additionally, they examined microbial changes in stool samples after Doenjang ingestion.

The study revealed a notable reduction in the mean Kupperman index after Doenjang consumption, with significant differences observed among the three groups. While the degree of decrease varied for each item across the groups, no scores increased following supplementation.

However, Doenjang did not exhibit anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, or insulin resistance improvement effects. Nevertheless, it effectively lowered LDL cholesterol levels in the HDC and LDC groups. Moreover, after supplementation, the numbers of beneficial bacteria increased in all three groups, while harmful bacteria decreased only in the CD group.

In conclusion, traditional Doenjang is more effective in easing menopausal syndrome than commercial Doenjang. However, there is a need for further research on the anti-obesity effect or changes in microbiomes and short-chain fatty acids in feces.

"Our findings highlight the potential of Doenjang as a natural remedy for menopausal symptoms and obesity management," the researchers wrote.

Reference: Han, A. L., Ryu, M. S., Yang, H., Jeong, D., & Choi, K. H. (2023). Evaluation of Menopausal Syndrome Relief and Anti-Obesity Efficacy of the Korean Fermented Food Doenjang: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 16(8), 1194. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081194