Case-control study, 2020
Does what women eat affect their risk of PMS?
Yes. Women eating a Western diet with fast foods and processed meats are more likely to have PMS, while those eating healthier or traditional diets show lower risk.
What they did
Researchers compared diet in 225 women with PMS to 334 healthy women aged 20 to 46 years. They used food frequency questionnaires to measure what women ate over the past year and used statistical analysis to identify three main dietary patterns.
What they found
Three dietary patterns emerged: Western (characterized by fast foods, soft drinks, processed meats), traditional (eggs, tomato sauce, fruits, red meat), and healthy (dried fruits, condiments, nuts). Women eating the most Western pattern showed higher likelihood of PMS compared to the lowest group. Women eating the most traditional or healthy pattern showed lower likelihood of PMS compared to the lowest group.
What it means for you
Diet patterns appear linked to PMS risk. A Western diet with processed foods may worsen PMS, while healthier eating patterns may lower risk. However, this study shows association not cause - we cannot yet say that changing your diet will definitely prevent PMS. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.
225
women with PMS
334
healthy women
3
main dietary patterns identified
About the study
- Original title
- Dietary patterns are associated with premenstrual syndrome: evidence from a case-control study
- Authors
- MoradiFili B, Ghiasvand R, Pourmasoumi M et al.
- Journal
- Public health nutrition
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 334
- What was tested
- None - comparison of dietary patterns
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019002192
Topics
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