Randomised trial, 2020
Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how the brain responds to food pictures?
The luteal phase showed slightly stronger brain responses to high-calorie food pictures, and this response was linked to higher progesterone levels and more severe premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
35 women watched pictures of high-calorie food, low-calorie food, and neutral images during three different menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulatory, and luteal), with the order randomized. Brain activity was recorded using EEG at each phase, and saliva samples were taken to measure hormone levels and mood.
What they found
Brain activity in the parietal region showed larger responses to high-calorie food compared to neutral pictures, with responses being slightly larger during the luteal phase for both food categories. During the luteal phase, progesterone levels and how much premenstrual symptoms interfered with daily life predicted larger brain responses to high-calorie pictures.
What it means for you
The luteal phase may increase how much the brain notices food cues, possibly because of progesterone and premenstrual symptoms. This could help explain increased food cravings before the period. The main limitation is the small sample size of 35 women.
35
women studied
3
menstrual cycle phases
About the study
- Original title
- Food cue-elicited brain potentials change throughout menstrual cycle: Modulation by eating styles, negative affect, and premenstrual complaints
- Authors
- Strahler J, Hermann A, Schmidt NM et al.
- Journal
- Hormones and behavior
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Observation across three menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104811
Topics
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