In addition to its other benefits, a low-fat diet may also reduce menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, new research has found.
Scientists studied 17,473 menopausal women who were not on hormone therapy. Forty percent were assigned to a low-fat dietary plan with increased intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They met periodically with nutritionists to assure compliance. The rest ate their customary diets. All participants recorded night sweats and hot flashes with details about their severity.
Over all, women in the diet group were 14 percent more likely to eliminate these symptoms in the first year than those not on the diet, a difference that persisted after controlling for initial weight, smoking, ethnicity and other factors.
