DIET AND URINARY-EXCRETION OF LIGNANS IN FEMALE SUBJECTS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (4) , 259-261
Abstract
The influence of diet on the microbial biosynthesis of lignans was investigated by comparing the urinary excretion of the principal lignan, trans-2,3-bis-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-butyrolactone, in 12 omnivoric and 14 vegetarian women. Young vegetarian women were found to excrete significantly greater amounts of enterolactone than omnivores; old vegetarians excreted comparable amounts to the omnivore group. A statistically significant (P < 0.01-0.001) correlation was found between the amount of fiber in the diet and the urinary enterolactone excretion.