Which group is among the highest equol producers?

The group that is among the highest equol producers is vegetarians. This association is largely due to dietary patterns that emphasize the consumption of soy products, which are rich in isoflavones, particularly daidzein. When daidzein is metabolized in the intestines by specific gut bacteria, it gets converted into equol.

Vegetarians typically consume higher amounts of soy-based foods, such as tofu, tempeh, and edamame, which enhances their capacity to produce equol. Additionally, the gut microbiome composition, which is influenced by various factors including diet, plays a significant role in equol production. While individuals who consume a varied diet including animal products may also produce equol, studies indicate that plant-based diets lead to greater overall equol levels, especially due to the higher intake of soy and a lesser intake of foods that might inhibit equol production.

Other groups, like vegans, might not consume enough sources of soy, especially if they avoid all soy products altogether or prioritize other plant sources that are low in isoflavones. Flexitarians, who have a partially plant-based diet but still include animal products occasionally, may not consistently consume the soy levels that vegetarians do. Therefore,