Survey study, 1972
Do mood changes during the menstrual cycle relate to salt balance and weight?
Yes, there was a clear link between mood changes and changes in salt balance during the menstrual cycle. Weight also changed along with mood.
What they did
Eleven college-age women lived in a hospital ward where researchers controlled their diet and salt intake. Over 410 days covering 14 menstrual cycles, researchers measured their daily mood, morning weight, and salt and potassium levels in their urine.
What they found
There was a clear positive relationship between negative mood and changes in the potassium-to-sodium ratio during the menstrual cycle. Weight changes were also linked to mood changes.
What it means for you
Mood changes during the menstrual cycle may be related to how the body handles salt and water. However, the study was very small with only 11 women, and controlling salt and food intake in a lab may not reflect how things work in everyday life.
11
women
410
days studied
14
menstrual cycles tracked
About the study
- Original title
- Correlations Between Mood, Urinary Electrolytes, and Weight During the Menstrual Cycle
- Authors
- David S. Janowsky, Steven Berens, John M. Davis
- Journal
- Annals of Internal Medicine
- Year
- 1972
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-76-5-858_3