Survey study, 2023
Does the type of food women eat affect menstrual cycle symptoms?
Possibly yes. Women who ate more polyunsaturated fats and thiamine had fewer symptoms, while those with more saturated fat, iron, and niacin had more symptoms. But this study only shows connection, not that food definitely causes the changes.
What they did
Online survey of 204 women aged 18 to 40 with regular periods. They reported their food intake and their menstrual symptoms.
What they found
Women with higher polyunsaturated fat intake had lower odds of moderate to severe physical symptoms (odds ratio 0.71). Thiamine intake was strongly associated with lower psychological symptoms (odds ratio 0.02). Higher saturated fat, iron, and niacin intake were linked to more psychological symptoms.
What it means for you
Diet might be something women can control to reduce menstrual symptoms. The main limit is that this was only a survey, so we cannot prove food causes the changes. The sample was also relatively small and from one online source.
204
women studied
0.71
odds ratio for polyunsaturated fat and lower physical symptoms
0.02
odds ratio for thiamine and lower psychological symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with nutrient intake: Results from network analysis from an online survey
- Authors
- Ghazzawi HA, Alhaj O, Bragazzi N et al.
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 204
- What was tested
- None; observation of nutrient intake
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/17455057231185624
Topics
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