Randomised trial, 2020
Does eating more dairy and calcium reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes, women who ate dairy products and calcium had significantly lower PMS symptoms and better quality of life after 2 months. We can be moderately confident because this was a randomized controlled trial, though only 16 women received the treatment.
What they did
Randomized controlled trial with 31 women aged 20-28 with PMS and low calcium intake. Treatment group (16 women) ate dairy products (Turkish cheese 50g, milk 400ml, yogurt 150g daily) providing 1,000 mg calcium for 2 months. Control group (15 women) made no dietary changes. Both measured at baseline and end with PMS symptom scale and quality of life questionnaire.
What they found
The treatment group's PMS symptom score dropped from 151.9 to 104.8, a significant improvement. Their physical functioning score improved from 41.2 to 47.9, and mental health score improved from 45.0 to 48.6. The control group showed no significant changes.
What it means for you
Eating enough dairy and calcium may help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life. The main limitation is that the study was very small with only 16 women receiving treatment, and it only included women in Turkey with low calcium intake to begin with.
151.9 to 104.8
PMS symptom score, baseline to after treatment
1,000 mg
Daily calcium from dairy products
2 months
Treatment duration
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of dairy products intake in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Merve Yurt, Seyit Mehmet Mercanlıgil, Seray Kabaran
- Journal
- Progress in nutrition
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 16
- What was tested
- Dairy products (Turkish kasseri cheese 50g, milk 400ml, yogurt 150g daily) providing at least 1,000 mg calcium for 2 months
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i1.7688
Topics
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