The consumption of soft drinks, particularly those containing caffeine or artificially sweetened with aspartame, has been linked to the earlier onset of menstruation in girls, a condition known as early menarche. This correlation carries significant implications, as early menarche is associated with increased risks for chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hormone-related cancers.
A comprehensive study, conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, examined a racially diverse cohort of 1988 African American and Caucasian girls between the ages of 9 and 10 over a 10-year period. The study aimed to identify the potential impact of caffeinated and non-caffeinated sugar- and artificially sweetened soft drinks on the timing of menarche. Notably, the research found that with each additional serving per day of caffeinated soft drinks, there was a 47% increased risk of early menarche (RR for 1 serving/d increment: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.79). Similarly, artificially sweetened soft drinks were also positively associated with this risk (RR for 1 serving/d increment: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.88). Consumption of noncaffeinated soft drinks was not significantly associated with early menarche (RR for 1 serving/d increment: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.62, 1.25); nor was consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks (RR for 1 serving/d increment: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.39).
These findings are particularly concerning considering the growth of diet soft drink consumption and the popular belief that they are a healthier alternative to their sugary counterparts. It’s important to highlight that the study did not find the same significant associations with noncaffeinated soft drinks or natural fruit juices. These results underline the specific concerns surrounding caffeinated beverages and those sweetened with aspartame.
The study meticulously accounted for a variety of possible confounding factors, including premenarcheal percentage body fat, race, parental education, total energy intake, and physical activity score. Despite this, a clear link between soft drink consumption and early menarche was observed. This suggests that ingredients such as caffeine and aspartame might be influential factors.
Relevant articles:
– Consumption of caffeinated and artificially sweetened soft drinks is associated with risk of early menarche1,2, by NT Mueller · 2015 · Cited by 88