---
title: A Salt-Rich Diet May Delay Puberty Study Claims
description: A salt-rich diet may delay puberty study claims
canonical: https://time.com/3882228/salt-puberty/
author: David Stout
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-05-18T08:04:47.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:01:58.263Z
article:section: Health
og:title: Too Much Salt May Delay the Onset of Puberty
og:description: Think twice before allowing kids unlimited access to salty condiments.
og:url: https://time.com/3882228/salt-puberty/
og:site_name: TIME
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og:image:alt: TIME
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Too Much Salt May Delay the Onset of Puberty
twitter:description: Think twice before allowing kids unlimited access to salty condiments.
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---
# Too Much Salt May Delay the Onset of Puberty, Suggests Study
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> Last updated: August 2026.
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## Video: The Truth About Fat
[Watch (HLS stream): The Truth About Fat](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/uYGhfNfS.m3u8) (5:15)
_Published 2014-06-12. When you want to lose weight or get healthy, what is the first thing you would normally cut from your diet? If you said fat, you're not alone_
by
[David Stout](https://time.com/author/david-stout/)
## David Stout
May 18, 2015 8:04 AM UTC
by
[David Stout](https://time.com/author/david-stout/)
## David Stout
May 18, 2015 8:04 AM UTC
Consuming too much sodium [may stunt](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150517071924.htm) the commencement of puberty in humans, leading to reduced fertility and higher stress levels in affected individuals.
A new study published by researchers from the University of Wyoming found that rats that consumed a sodium-rich diet had a “significant delay in reaching puberty” compared to fellow rodents that imbibed normal levels of salt, reports Science Daily.
“Current salt-loading in Western populations has the potential to drastically affect reproductive health, and warrants further attention,” said Dori Pitynski from the University of Wyoming.
But don’t give up on salt completely, researchers claim. According to the study, too little sodium may also delay the onset of puberty as well.
The World Health Organization says adults should “consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium, or 5 grams of salt” daily, according to revised guidelines [published](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2013/salt%5Fpotassium%5F20130131/en/) in 2013.
\[[_Science Daily_](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150517071924.htm)\]
### QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet? Getty Images (4)
Answer: A half cup of ice cream If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat. Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter? Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Butter Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Sirloin burger Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Almonds Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Special K or eggs? AP; Getty Images
Answer: Eggs In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt. Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead. Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein. Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
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