Girls who eat healthier foods may start their periods later, which could help protect their health in the long run, a new study shows.
Researchers tracked over 7,500 girls aged 9 to 14 and found that those with the healthiest diets were 16% less likely to get their first period at an early age compared to girls with the poorest diets. The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.
Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13 and get their first period about two years after breast development starts. But starting menstruation early has been linked to future health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even breast cancer.
The study also found that girls who ate the most inflammatory foods—like ultra-processed snacks high in sugar and fat—were 15% more likely to start menstruating early.
This link between diet and menstruation timing remained strong even when researchers accounted for the girls’ height and weight. That suggests a healthy diet matters regardless of body size, said lead author Holly Harris, an associate professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in the U.S.
Not everyone is ready to draw firm conclusions. Dr. Imogen Roger, a research fellow from Brighton & Sussex Medical School who was not involved in the study, said more research is needed to better understand the link.
Roger pointed out that the girls’ diets were measured close to the time they began menstruating. This makes it hard to tell whether diet caused earlier periods—or whether early puberty led to changes in diet. “It’s possible that puberty timing may actually influence dietary habits,” she told Euronews Health.
Even so, experts agree that healthy food access is important during childhood and puberty. Harris said the results show how vital it is for schools to offer nutritious meals. “School breakfasts and lunches should follow science-based nutrition guidelines,” she said.
Earlier puberty is becoming more common across Europe, raising concern among health professionals. Researchers say better understanding of how diet affects puberty could help lower health risks for girls in the future.
Read more:
- Can You Have a Period After the Menopause?
- Abnormal Menstrual Periods: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
- Understanding the Last Period Before Menopause
