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.
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
Topics
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