Cravings for specific foods (such as chocolate) before menstruation are linked in some women to more severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, according to a new study that investigated the relationship between food and these symptoms.
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The study, which included 607 women in Turkey, found that those who frequently consumed ultra-processed foods, such as sweetened soft drinks and certain packaged snacks, were more likely to report more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Milder symptoms were also associated with two behavioral habits:
The researchers recruited women aged between 18 and 30 through: - university networks. - social media. - referrals from other participants.
In an online survey, participants assessed symptoms from the week prior to their period, such as pain, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.
The women also answered questions about: how often they eat ultra-processed foods, how closely they adhere to the Mediterranean diet, and how they deal with hunger and cravings
After accounting for age, menstrual cycle regularity, and general dietary habits, the relationship between ultra-processed foods and symptom severity remained.
Researcher Ziya Erukay Metin from Ankara University of Health Sciences said that increased consumption of these foods was associated with increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, but the association remained relatively limited after accounting for other factors.
According to the study, each additional point on the ultra-processed foods questionnaire, which was scored from 0 to 11, was associated with an increase of nearly one point in the average symptom score on a scale of 44 to 220.
However, adherence to the Mediterranean diet did not show a clear correlation with symptom severity in this analysis.
The researcher explained the result with the example of chocolate:
The study does not prove a direct causal relationship because:
- I relied on what the participants remembered. collected all at once, making it difficult to determine whether the symptoms preceded the change in eating or vice versa.
- The sample included a predominantly university-educated population, which limits the generalizability of the results.
The researchers believe the next step should be to follow the women through several menstrual cycles, recording daily what they eat, what they crave, and how they feel, to determine whether dietary changes precede or follow the symptoms. A randomized trial comparing different diets could also help determine whether dietary changes actually alleviate symptoms.
The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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