--- title: Does eating more ultra-processed food make PMS symptoms worse? description: Yes, this study found that eating more ultra-processed food was linked to worse PMS symptoms, but it cannot prove that the food caused the symptoms. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ultra-processed-foods-and-premenstrual-syndrome-symptoms-does-consumption-amount-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does eating more ultra-processed food make PMS symptoms worse? Survey study, 2026 # Does eating more ultra-processed food make PMS symptoms worse? Yes, this study found that eating more ultra-processed food was linked to worse PMS symptoms, but it cannot prove that the food caused the symptoms. Early or limited evidence 432 female university students in Turkey ## What they did Researchers surveyed 432 female university students at Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University in a cross-sectional study. They used questionnaires on background information, how often students ate ultra-processed foods, and a PMS symptom scale, then analyzed the data with multiple linear regression. ## What they found In three adjusted statistical models, higher ultra-processed food consumption was associated with higher scores on PMS scale subscales, meaning worse depressed affect, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, depressive thoughts, pain, appetite changes, and sleep changes. Bloating was the one symptom not linked to ultra-processed food intake. ## What it means for you Eating less ultra-processed food and more whole, fiber-rich foods might help ease most PMS symptoms, but since this was a one-time survey with no control group, it cannot show that diet actually causes these symptoms, only that they occur together. 432 Participants cross-sectional Study type ## About the study Original title Ultra-processed foods and premenstrual syndrome symptoms: Does consumption amount increase symptom severity? Authors Bekar D, Matar AA, Selçuk KT et al. Journal Nutrition and health Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 432 What was tested Ultra-processed food consumption (observed, not a tested treatment) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/02601060251338498](https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060251338498) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Randomised trial, 2021 Does hypnotherapy reduce pain and emotional distress in women with PMDD? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD in Russian medical students, and what are its symptoms? Survey study, 2017 Are PMS symptoms linked to mood disorders and personality? Survey study, 1964 How common are mood and physical changes around menstruation? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗