Survey study, 2023
Do inflammation markers in the blood link to food cravings during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, higher inflammation markers were linked to increased risk of moderate to severe food cravings during the menstrual cycle. After statistical correction, hsCRP remained significant for chocolate, sweet, and salty cravings.
What they did
Prospective observational study of 259 women aged 18 to 44 followed over two menstrual cycles. Women reported food cravings up to four times per cycle at different phases. Blood samples were collected up to eight times per cycle to measure inflammation markers including hsCRP, GCSF, GMCSF, IL-4, IL-6, RANTES, and MIP1B.
What they found
Multiple inflammation markers showed associations with increased risk of moderate or severe cravings across the menstrual cycle, with all risk ratios greater than 1 and confidence intervals ranging from 0.71 to 2.38. After correction for multiple testing, hsCRP was significant for chocolate, sweet, and salty cravings. GCSF, GMCSF, IL-6, and RANTES were significant for chocolate and sweet cravings only.
What it means for you
Inflammation in the body may contribute to food cravings before the period. The study was fairly large, followed women over multiple cycles, and measured inflammation markers directly, which strengthens the findings.
259
Women studied
2 cycles
Duration per woman
0.71-2.38
Confidence interval range for associations
About the study
- Original title
- Association of inflammation biomarkers with food cravings and appetite changes across the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Agarwal K, Franks AT, Zhang X et al.
- Journal
- Clinical nutrition ESPEN
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 259
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.06.004
Topics
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