--- title: Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Maybe. This review suggests that eating less sugar, fat, salt and alcohol, and more fresh whole foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals, may help, but the url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationships-between-premenstrual-syndrome-pms-and-diet-composition-dietary-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2024 # Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms? Maybe. This review suggests that eating less sugar, fat, salt and alcohol, and more fresh whole foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals, may help, but the researchers say there isn't yet strong enough evidence to give firm advice. Early or limited evidence Women with PMS, based on findings pulled from existing published research (no single study sample described). ## What they did This is a review article, not a new experiment on real people. The authors searched four research databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) up to 18 January 2024 for existing studies linking diet to PMS. ## What they found Looking across past studies, the authors found that low intake of simple carbohydrates, fats, salt, and alcohol, together with high intake of fresh, unprocessed foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help prevent PMS from starting and reduce how bad symptoms get. ## What it means for you This summarises other people's research rather than testing anything new, so it cannot prove that changing your diet will fix PMS. The authors themselves say large, randomized, double-blind trials in diverse groups of women are still needed before clear dietary recommendations can be made. 4 Databases searched 18 Jan 2024 Search cutoff date ## About the study Original title Relationships between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Diet Composition, Dietary Patterns and Eating Behaviors Authors Oboza P, Ogarek N, Wójtowicz M et al. Journal Nutrients Year 2024 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Diet composition, dietary patterns, and eating behaviors, as covered in other studies (not tested directly here). Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/nu16121911](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121911) Original abstract Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder between gynecology and psychiatry which includes cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms from mild to severe. The most severe form of PMS is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and it is considered a form of depressive disorder. An association between diet composition and the occurrence of PMS and its severity have been suggested. As such, this manuscript discusses the relationships between diet composition, dietary patterns and eating behaviors, and PMS. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for related studies up to 18 January 2024. A text search with the following keywords singly or in combination was conducted: "Premenstrual syndrome", "Nutrition", "Diet composition", "Dietary patterns", and "Eating behaviors". Studies published so far showed that low intake of simple carbohydrates, fats, salt, and alcohol, and high of fresh, unprocessed foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of PMS and reduce the severity of its symptoms. However, further studies are needed to formulate definitive recommendations for the use of vitamins, micronutrients and other dietary ingredients supplementation in women with PMS to improve functioning, overall well-being, and physical health. Large, randomized, double-blind clinical trials across diverse populations are necessary to formulate clear recommendations for supplementation in women with PMS. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Omega-3 fatty acids](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-omega-3/)[Vitamin D](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-d/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2001 What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Study, 2025 Could taking a combination of vitamins and minerals help with PMS and PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2023 What percentage of women aged 20-35 have PMS symptoms and what types are most common? Study, 2008 How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives? Interview study, 1992 Can eating carbohydrates help ease PMS symptoms by increasing serotonin in the brain? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗