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Study, 2018

Is diet related to premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Yes. In teenage girls, diet showed a connection to PMS. Sodium, carbohydrates, niacin, and vitamin D intake correlated with having PMS.

Early or limited evidence 112 teenage girls in Chihuahua, Mexico

What they did

Survey of 112 teenage girls. They recorded everything they ate for three consecutive days and answered questions about their health history and menstrual symptoms.

What they found

45% of the girls had PMS. On average they ate too much fat (31% of calories versus 20% recommended) and too few carbohydrates (55% versus 65% recommended). Girls with more PMS showed connections to sodium, carbohydrates, niacin, and vitamin D intake.

What it means for you

Diet patterns may play a role in PMS in teenage girls. Getting enough carbohydrates, niacin, and vitamin D while limiting sodium might help prevent or reduce PMS. The main limits are that this shows connection only and does not prove that changing diet will help, and diet was self-reported which may not be accurate.

45%

had PMS

112

girls studied

31%

fat calories (versus 20% recommended)

About the study

Original title
Sindrome premenstrual e ingesta dietetica en estudiantes adolescentes
Authors
Laura Armida Chapa-González, Claudia Esther Carrasco Legleu, Ofelia G. Urita et al.
Journal
TECNOCIENCIA CHIHUAHUA
Year
2018
Study design
Study
What was tested
None (dietary survey)
Open access
Yes

Topics