Survey study, 2020
Does diet affect PMS symptoms?
Yes, healthy foods appear to reduce PMS severity while unhealthy foods seem to make it worse. Whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables and certain vitamins are linked with better outcomes; sugar, fast food and alcohol are linked with more severe symptoms.
What they did
Researchers reviewed published studies on how diet affects PMS in women of childbearing age. They looked at which foods were linked to worse or better PMS symptoms.
What they found
Diets high in whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables, and vitamins B1, D and E showed protective effects against PMS development and severity. Diets high in refined sugar, fast food, sweetened drinks, alcohol and chocolate were associated with increased PMS severity.
What it means for you
This review brings together evidence from multiple studies suggesting diet matters for PMS. However, it cannot prove that changing diet would help because it is based on studies showing that people eating different foods have different PMS levels. The studies may have missed other reasons why symptom severity differs.
whole grains
protective food
refined sugar
harmful food
About the study
- Original title
- Association of Diet, Quality of Life and Premenstrual Syndrome; A Review
- Authors
- Quratulain Javaid
- Journal
- Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.51985/jbumdc2020028
Topics
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