Therapeutic methods of treatment, compositions and foodstuffs are described which contain isoflavone compounds described by general formula (1), in which Z is H, R.sub.1 is H, or R.sub.ACO where R.sub.A is C.sub.1-10alkyl or an amino acid, R.sub.2 is H, OH, or OR.sub.B where R.sub.B is an amino acid, or CORA where R.sub.A is as previously defined, W is H, A is H or OH, and B is selected from (a), (b), (c), or W is H, and A and B taken together form a six-membered ring selected from (d), or W, A and B taken with the groups with which they are associated comprise (e), or W and A taken together with the groups with which they are associated comprise (f) and B is (g) wherein R.sub.3 is H, COR.sub.A where R.sub.A is as previously defined, CO.sub.2R.sub.c where R.sub.C is C.sub.1-10alkyl, or COR.sub.B where R.sub.B is as previously defined, R.sub.4 is H, COR.sub.D where R.sub.D is H, OH, C.sub.1-10alkyl or an amino acid, CO.sub.2R.sub.C where R.sub.C is as previously defined, COR.sub.E where R.sub.E is H, C.sub.1-10alkyl or an amino acid, COOH, COR.sub.C where R.sub.C is as previously defined, or CONHR.sub.E where R.sub.E is as previously defined, R.sub.5 is H, COR.sub.C where R.sub.C is as previously defined, or COR.sub.COR.sub.E where R.sub.C and R.sub.E are as previously defined, and where the two R.sub.5 groups are attached to the same group they are the same or different, R.sub.6 is H or hydroxy C.sub.1-10alkyl, X is preferably O, but may be N or S, and Y is (h) where R.sub.7 is H, or C.sub.1-10alkyl ##STR00001## ##STR00002##