Asparagus includes trace levels of phytoestrogens isoflavones and lignans. These chemicals, which have a similar structure to estrogen, may lower the risk of some malignancies. It should be noted that asparagus has a far lower isoflavone level than soy products (around 200 times less isoflavones than tofu and 90 times less than soy milk). In contrast, the quantity of lignans found in asparagus is usually equivalent to or greater than that found in soy products. Furthermore, cooking asparagus would have little effect on its phytoestrogen levels. Asparagus may therefore aid in increasing dietary phytoestrogen consumption.