Getting the right nutrients in childhood may reduce the risk of early menstruation, study shows – CTV
May 06, 2025
The foods you pack in your kids’ lunch boxes may have an impact on whether they experience their first menstrual cycle too early, according to new research.
Eating a more inflammatory diet was associated with a 15% greater chance of kids having their first period in the next month, whereas a healthier diet reduced the risk by 8%, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction.
An early start to menstruation isn’t just inconvenient –– it is a marker for chronic conditions, said senior study author Dr. Holly Harris, associate professor of epidemiology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. And younger generations are starting their periods earlier and taking longer to become regular.
An early first period, which is impacted by both genetics and external factors, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life, Harris said.
“This may be an important time period for lowering risk of chronic diseases that occur in adulthood,” she added.
