Menopause is framed as a hormonal transition, but alongside the decline in oestrogen comes measurable changes to heart, muscle, bone and neurological health, many of which are modifiable through nutrition independent of hormonal therapy. The transition to menopause, often referred to as the perimenopause, provides a critical window of opportunity for healthcare professionals, as modification of dietary patterns and nutrient intake can influence disease trajectory independent of hormonal therapy.

  1. Liu YC and Guo ZQ (2025). Dietary interventions and nutritional strategies for menopausal health: a mini review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12
  2. Khoudary SER, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, Hodis H, Johnson AE, Langer R, Limacher M, Manson J, Stefanick M and Allison M (2020). Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk: implications for timing of early prevention: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 142(25), pp. e506-e532. doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000912
  3. Raman V, Kose V, Somalwar S, Dwidmuthe KS and Rao S (2023). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with menopausal symptoms in post-menopausal women: a scoping review. Cureus, 15(5), e39069. doi:10.7759/cureus.39069
  4. Zhu D, Chung H-F, Dobson A, Pandeya N et al (2019). Age at natural menopause and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: a pooled analysis of individual patient data. The Lancet Public Health, 4(11), pp. e553-e564. doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30155-0
  5. Gu Y, Han F, Xue M, Wang M and Huang Y (2024). The benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy for the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 60. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02788-0
  6. Jurek J, Zablocka-Sowinska K, Mestres HC, Reyes Gutiérrez L et al (2025). The impact of dietary interventions on metabolic outcomes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and comorbid conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nutrients, 17(7), 1257. doi:10.3390/nu17071257
  7. Bruna-Mejias A, San Martin J, Arciniegas-Diaz D, Meneses-Caroca T, Salamanca-Cerda A et al (2025). Comparison of the Mediterranean diet and other therapeutic strategies in metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(12), 5887. doi:10.3390/ijms26125887
  8. Castro-Barquero S, Ruiz-León A, Sierra-Pérez M, Estruch R and Casas R (2020). Dietary strategies for metabolic syndrome: a comprehensive review. Nutrients, 12(10), 2983. doi:10.3390/nu12102983
  9. Ni C, Jia Q, Ding G, Wu X and Yang M (2022). Low-glycemic index diets as an intervention in metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 14(2), 307. doi:10.3390/nu14020307
  10. Anagnostis P, Lambrinoudaki I, Stevenson JC and Goulis DG (2022). Menopause-associated risk of cardiovascular disease. Endocrine Connections, 11(4), e210537. doi:10.1530/EC-21-0537
  11. Wang Q, Xie B, Fu C et al (2026). Integrating menopause duration and plasma metabolomics enhances cardiovascular risk stratification in ageing women. NPJ Aging, 12, 24. doi:10.1038/s41514-025-00323-z
  12. Sigala EG, Chrysohoou C, Barkas F, Liberopoulos E, Sfikakis P et al (2025). The effect of menopause on the associations between dietary intake and the 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease in women: the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022). Maturitas, 198, 108600. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108600
  13. Lee H, Son K, Lee I and Lim H (2023). Effects of nutrition education with intervention mapping on cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with borderline dyslipidemia: analysis according to menopausal status. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 32(3), pp. 269-278. doi:10.7570/jomes23013
  14. Best N (2025). Dietary patterns and their associations with body composition, cardiometabolic and bone health in postmenopausal women. Post Reproductive Health, 31(2), pp. 87-95. doi:10.1177/20533691251339566
  15. Rizzoli R, Stevenson JC, Bauer JM, van Loon LJ, Walrand S et al (2014). The role of dietary protein and vitamin D in maintaining musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women: a consensus statement from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Maturitas, 79(1), pp. 122-132. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.07.005
  16. Li X, Zhu J, Li X, Zhang H, Fu X and Yu W (2025). Effect of different types of exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94510-3
  17. Inpan R, Takuathung NM, Sakuludomkan W, Dukaew N, Teekachunhatean S and Koonrungsesomboon N (2023). Isoflavone intervention and its impact on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Osteoporosis International, 35, pp. 413-430. doi:10.1007/s00198-023-06944-y
  18. Barańska A, Kanadys W, Bogdan M, Stępień E, Barczyński B, Kłak A et al (2022). The role of soy isoflavones in the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(16), 4676. doi:10.3390/jcm11164676
  19. Lephart E, Weber K and Hedges D (2026). Assessing the roles of aging, oestrogen, nutrition, and neuroinflammation in women and their involvement in Alzheimer’s disease – a narrative overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(3), 1239. doi:10.3390/ijms27031239
  20. Minihane A (2025). Omega-3 fatty acids, brain health and the menopause. Post Reproductive Health, 31(2), pp. 97-104. doi:10.1177/20533691251341701

About the Author: Zoe Reape, RD

Zoe is interested in women’s health, from pregnancy, postpartum through to menopause and helping women fuel correctly for physical activity. She works with women in the Tokyo expat community, supporting them to navigate big life changes away from their home country.

Leave A Comment

Menopause is framed as a hormonal transition, but alongside the decline in oestrogen comes measurable changes to heart, muscle, bone and neurological health, many of which are modifiable through nutrition independent of hormonal therapy. The transition to menopause, often referred to as the perimenopause, provides a critical window of opportunity for healthcare professionals, as modification of dietary patterns and nutrient intake can influence disease trajectory independent of hormonal therapy.

  1. Liu YC and Guo ZQ (2025). Dietary interventions and nutritional strategies for menopausal health: a mini review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12
  2. Khoudary SER, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, Hodis H, Johnson AE, Langer R, Limacher M, Manson J, Stefanick M and Allison M (2020). Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk: implications for timing of early prevention: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 142(25), pp. e506-e532. doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000912
  3. Raman V, Kose V, Somalwar S, Dwidmuthe KS and Rao S (2023). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with menopausal symptoms in post-menopausal women: a scoping review. Cureus, 15(5), e39069. doi:10.7759/cureus.39069
  4. Zhu D, Chung H-F, Dobson A, Pandeya N et al (2019). Age at natural menopause and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: a pooled analysis of individual patient data. The Lancet Public Health, 4(11), pp. e553-e564. doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30155-0
  5. Gu Y, Han F, Xue M, Wang M and Huang Y (2024). The benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy for the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 60. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02788-0
  6. Jurek J, Zablocka-Sowinska K, Mestres HC, Reyes Gutiérrez L et al (2025). The impact of dietary interventions on metabolic outcomes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and comorbid conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nutrients, 17(7), 1257. doi:10.3390/nu17071257
  7. Bruna-Mejias A, San Martin J, Arciniegas-Diaz D, Meneses-Caroca T, Salamanca-Cerda A et al (2025). Comparison of the Mediterranean diet and other therapeutic strategies in metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(12), 5887. doi:10.3390/ijms26125887
  8. Castro-Barquero S, Ruiz-León A, Sierra-Pérez M, Estruch R and Casas R (2020). Dietary strategies for metabolic syndrome: a comprehensive review. Nutrients, 12(10), 2983. doi:10.3390/nu12102983
  9. Ni C, Jia Q, Ding G, Wu X and Yang M (2022). Low-glycemic index diets as an intervention in metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 14(2), 307. doi:10.3390/nu14020307
  10. Anagnostis P, Lambrinoudaki I, Stevenson JC and Goulis DG (2022). Menopause-associated risk of cardiovascular disease. Endocrine Connections, 11(4), e210537. doi:10.1530/EC-21-0537
  11. Wang Q, Xie B, Fu C et al (2026). Integrating menopause duration and plasma metabolomics enhances cardiovascular risk stratification in ageing women. NPJ Aging, 12, 24. doi:10.1038/s41514-025-00323-z
  12. Sigala EG, Chrysohoou C, Barkas F, Liberopoulos E, Sfikakis P et al (2025). The effect of menopause on the associations between dietary intake and the 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease in women: the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022). Maturitas, 198, 108600. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108600
  13. Lee H, Son K, Lee I and Lim H (2023). Effects of nutrition education with intervention mapping on cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with borderline dyslipidemia: analysis according to menopausal status. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 32(3), pp. 269-278. doi:10.7570/jomes23013
  14. Best N (2025). Dietary patterns and their associations with body composition, cardiometabolic and bone health in postmenopausal women. Post Reproductive Health, 31(2), pp. 87-95. doi:10.1177/20533691251339566
  15. Rizzoli R, Stevenson JC, Bauer JM, van Loon LJ, Walrand S et al (2014). The role of dietary protein and vitamin D in maintaining musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women: a consensus statement from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Maturitas, 79(1), pp. 122-132. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.07.005
  16. Li X, Zhu J, Li X, Zhang H, Fu X and Yu W (2025). Effect of different types of exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94510-3
  17. Inpan R, Takuathung NM, Sakuludomkan W, Dukaew N, Teekachunhatean S and Koonrungsesomboon N (2023). Isoflavone intervention and its impact on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Osteoporosis International, 35, pp. 413-430. doi:10.1007/s00198-023-06944-y
  18. Barańska A, Kanadys W, Bogdan M, Stępień E, Barczyński B, Kłak A et al (2022). The role of soy isoflavones in the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(16), 4676. doi:10.3390/jcm11164676
  19. Lephart E, Weber K and Hedges D (2026). Assessing the roles of aging, oestrogen, nutrition, and neuroinflammation in women and their involvement in Alzheimer’s disease – a narrative overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(3), 1239. doi:10.3390/ijms27031239
  20. Minihane A (2025). Omega-3 fatty acids, brain health and the menopause. Post Reproductive Health, 31(2), pp. 97-104. doi:10.1177/20533691251341701

About the Author: Zoe Reape, RD

Zoe is interested in women’s health, from pregnancy, postpartum through to menopause and helping women fuel correctly for physical activity. She works with women in the Tokyo expat community, supporting them to navigate big life changes away from their home country.

Leave A Comment

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