Study, 2009
Does how much you eat change during your menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women eat less energy during menstruation and more before their period. They also eat more carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamin C, and B vitamins before their period than during menstruation.
What they did
The researchers followed 43 women aged 18 to 30 who had regular periods and were not on birth control pills. They recorded all food and drink intake for 2 days during each phase of the menstrual cycle (before the period, during the period, and after the period).
What they found
Mean energy intake was significantly lower during the menstrual phase compared to the premenstrual phase, but similar during the post-menstrual phase. Intakes of carbohydrates, protein, and fat were significantly higher in the premenstrual phase than the menstrual phase. Vitamin C and B vitamin intakes were also significantly higher in the premenstrual phase than the menstrual phase.
What it means for you
Women naturally tend to eat more and choose more nutritious foods before their period than during menstruation. The study only tracked 2 days per cycle phase, so it captures just a snapshot. The participants were in the United Arab Emirates, so results may differ in other countries.
43
women studied
18-30
age range in years
2 days
per cycle phase recorded
About the study
- Original title
- Energy and nutrient intakes during different phases of the menstrual cycle in females in the United Arab Emirates
- Authors
- Cheikh Ismail LI, Al-Hourani H, Lightowler HJ et al.
- Journal
- Annals of nutrition & metabolism
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None (observational study tracking normal eating patterns).
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000209395
Topics
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