Eating a nutritious diet with an appropriate amount of kilocalories is integral to menstrual cycle health. Dietary patterns that include a diversity of fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fish, green tea, and plant-derived compounds and avoid excessive intakes of alcohol, red and processed meats, and caffeine are correlated with fewer menstrual-related disorders.[1][2][3] There are also associations (but no robust data) between a more “proinflammatory” dietary pattern and reduced levels of sex hormone binding globulin, which might affect menstrual-related symptoms in some people.[4]
Diet is also implicated in the timing of menarche (or the first menses). Menstruation requires energy, so malnourishment and low body weight can result in a later onset of menarche, whereas overnutrition and obesity are associated with an earlier age at menarche.[5][6][7]