Does following a Mediterranean diet reduce PMS?

Although the Mediterranean Diet (MD) may help prevent and manage Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), there was little evidence that better MD compliance reduced PMS risk. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PMS and compliance with the MD in reproductive-age women. An online survey of 469 reproductive-age (18-49 years) Turkish women was undertaken between November 2023 and April 2024 for this cross-sectional descriptive study. The survey included demographic information, a Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and a Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The prevalence of PMS was 58.6% of Turkish females. The MEDAS scores of PMS women were not notably different from non-PMS women (p>0.05). The adherence to wine consumption (≥7 glasses/week) was notably higher in women with PMS than in those without it (p<0.05). A positive association was established between body weight, appetite changes (p<0.001), and sleep changes (p<0.05). Also, BMI was positively related to appetite changes (p<0.001). While MD adherence overall was not associated with PMS, specific dietary components such as wine consumption may be worth further investigation.

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