equol

1 9.9

A chemical made in some people's bodies after eating soy that acts like estrogen

noun
/ˈɛkwəl/

Specialized

: equol

Research shows that equol can have positive effects on menopausal symptoms in women.

Examples

Not everyone can produce equol after eating foods made from soybeans.
Researchers are studying the health effects of equol in people who consume soy regularly.
The presence of equol in the body depends on specific gut bacteria.
The body produces equol from soy products.
Many people are unaware of equol and its benefits.
Many people do not produce equol, which is a compound linked to soy consumption.
Scientists are studying the role of equol in relation to estrogen levels in the body.

Surface Forms

equol singular

equols plural

Etymology

Equol comes from the part equi- meaning 'horse' because it was first found in horse urine, plus the chemical ending -ol meaning 'alcohol'. So equol is the name of a small chemical (now known to come from soy in the body) and the name helps you remember where it was discovered and that it is a simple molecule.