Research on nutrition during menopause: facts vs. myths Radboudumc, Erasmus MC, and the Heart Foundation launch project and invite women to share their experiences

15 April 2025

Many women adjust their diets during menopause to alleviate symptoms and prevent weight gain. However, clear nutritional guidelines are lacking. Therefore, Radboudumc, Erasmus MC, and the Heart Foundation are jointly launching a new project: a large-scale study into the facts and myths about nutrition during menopause and its impact on women's heart health. The researchers are calling on women to share their experiences and nutrition tips.

Why this research is needed

During menopause, significant hormonal changes occur, which can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, heart palpitations, and mood swings. These can be associated with heart disease, the leading cause of death among women. Many women try different diets, herbs, or supplements during this period, but there are no scientifically backed nutritional guidelines specifically for this stage of life.

‘We want to know how  women are actually experimenting with their diets and why’, says principal investigator Kirsten Bevelander from Radboud university medical center. ‘Whether it's advice from magazines, tips from family, or something circulating on social media, we want to collect it and compare it with available scientific evidence.’

In this picture: research leader Kirsten Bevelander.

Call to action: share your experiences

Women who are going through or have gone through menopause can contribute to the research by sharing their nutrition tips and experiences. This can be easily done through the project’s website by sending a link, photo, or scan with a brief explanation and source citation.

Additionally, interested individuals can participate as citizen scientists. In this active role, women work on the research, such as summarizing articles, conducting interviews, or making results understandable for other women. Curious about the possibilities? Contact us or sign up. You can register here.

Citizen scientist

Marjoleine, one of the citizen scientists, shares her motivation: ‘Everyone says something different about nutrition during and after menopause. I didn't know what to believe anymore. Through this project, I hope to find clear answers – for myself and for other women.’

Goal of the MENOFOOD Project

The MENOFOOD project aims to contribute to a healthier menopause and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. The researchers combine women's practical experiences with scientific insights to develop reliable, practical nutritional advice.

Project leader Kirsten Bevelander from Radboudumc is in the Talent Track, the program of Radboudumc for excellent young researchers. 

 

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