Asian-style soy rich diet is considered an important contribution to the prevention of breast, uterus and prostate cancer, of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, menopausal complaints and other diseases. It is also considered related to the longevity typically observed in these regions. More and more scientific studies confirm that the consumption of the isoflavones contained in soy and other food sources contributes to the prevention of estrogen-dependent tumours and many chronic-degenerative diseases of old age.

The isoflavones may be useful in strategies for cancer prevention through their estrogen-receptor modulating effects and their specific affinity to the relatively recently discovered estrogen receptor beta. The anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective properties as well as the stabilizing effects on bone mineral density and their effects against menopausal complaints (such as hot flushes and profuse sweating) obviously make them suitable for the maintenance of quality of life up to old age. The consumption of isoflavones has a high relevance for human health.

The Isoflavone Research Initiative has been founded to communicate the health benefits including the potential risks of isoflavones to the population, to scientists and to food and drug regulators, and to initiate research leading to a deepening of knowledge. The Isoflavone Research Initiative is an independent association of scientists and experts with experience in research related to "phyto-estrogens", and especially isoflavones.

As isoflavones are natural constituents of soy, the focus is primarily, but not exclusively, focused on soy research. It does, however, also include data derived from research on other plants such as red clover, alfalfa or Puearia, and also takes chemically derived genistein derivatives such as phenoxodiol into account.