Skip to content

Study, 2023

Does what women eat affect PMS symptoms?

Women with PMS tend to eat more fatty, sugary, and salty foods during their cycle. A healthier diet with more complex carbohydrates and less saturated fat and sugar might help reduce PMS symptoms.

Early or limited evidence Women in general (background article)

What they did

This discusses the relationship between menstrual cycle hormones and eating patterns, and what diet might help with PMS symptoms.

What they found

PMS affects 20% to 40% of women. During menstruation, the brain's hunger and fullness center is affected, increasing appetite. Women with PMS eat more fatty foods, simple sugars, and salty foods. Women eating a Western-style diet have worse PMS. A healthier diet with complex carbohydrates, adequate protein, reduced saturated fat, low cholesterol, and low simple sugars and salt might reduce PMS severity.

What it means for you

If you have PMS, you might notice changes in your appetite and food cravings during your cycle. Eating healthier foods might help reduce your symptoms. However, this is background information, not a study of women with PMS actually following a healthier diet to see if symptoms improve.

20-40%

of women affected by PMS

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual Sendromun İştah ve Besin Tercihi Üzerine Etkileri
Authors
Beyza ÇOBAN, Kevser KARLI
Journal
Kastamonu Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi
Year
2023
Study design
Study
What was tested
Diet (discussed as potentially helpful, not tested)
Open access
Yes

Topics