No clear evidence linking foods to natural menopause onset

Eating green and yellow vegetables in high amounts or a keeping vegetarian diet in general is associated with an earlier onset of natural menopause, whereas a low intake of alcohol and a high intake of some dairy products are linked to a later onset, according to the results of a meta-analysis. However, the associations have been inconsistent, and the findings overall are not replicated among the studies included.

Researchers searched multiple online databases for studies evaluating the association between diet and onset of natural menopause. The initial search yielded 6,137 eligible references, and 15 articles made the final analysis. The total study population comprised 298,413 women, of whom 91,554 experienced natural menopause during follow-up, which ranged from 3 to 20 years.

Most studies were from the US, while others were conducted in the UK, Japan, Australia, China, Germany, and Spain. Three studies defined early onset as natural menopause occurring before the age of 45 years. The other studies examined onset of natural menopause as a continuous outcome.

Overall, there were 89 food groups investigated, 38 macronutrients and micronutrients, and six dietary patterns. Among the food groups, greater consumption of green and yellow vegetables was linked to earlier age of natural menopause. On the other hand, high intake of some dairy products, such as low-fat and skimmed milk, and low intake of alcohol were associated with a later onset.

There were no consistent associations for macronutrient and micronutrient intake.

The present data show that despite the observed associations, the number of studies is limited and the overall evidence about the link between diet and onset of natural menopause remains controversial. More studies are certainly needed.