Early periods linked to high meat diet
Recent research has strongly linked the high consumption of meat with the early onset of periods.
It was found that high meat consumption at age three (over eight portions a week) and age seven (more than 12 portions) was strongly linked with early periods. The findings could be due to a more direct effect of dietary protein on the body's hormone levels.
More than 3,000 girls aged 12 were included in the research, which was carried out over the course of their lives since birth.
Although this finding was independent of body weight, the study repeated previous research showing that bigger girls tend to menstruate early.
Researchers are keen to stress that it is not necessary for girls to exclude meat from their diet as those girls with the highest consumption were eating a lot of meat. Meat contains important nutrients such as zinc and iron and a moderate amount may be beneficial.
It was also stressed that weight could not be the only factor in girls having periods earlier as the average age had not gone down further with increasing levels of obesity.
Award
Join Us
