---
title: Do inflammation markers in the blood link to food cravings during the menstrual cycle?
description: Yes, higher inflammation markers were linked to increased risk of moderate to severe food cravings during the menstrual cycle. After statistical correction, h
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-of-inflammation-biomarkers-with-food-cravings-and-appetite-changes-2023/
---

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- Do inflammation markers in the blood link to food cravings during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2023

# Do inflammation markers in the blood link to food cravings during the menstrual cycle?

Yes, higher inflammation markers were linked to increased risk of moderate to severe food cravings during the menstrual cycle. After statistical correction, hsCRP remained significant for chocolate, sweet, and salty cravings.

 Moderate study design

259 women aged 18 to 44 followed over two menstrual cycles

## What they did

Prospective observational study of 259 women aged 18 to 44 followed over two menstrual cycles. Women reported food cravings up to four times per cycle at different phases. Blood samples were collected up to eight times per cycle to measure inflammation markers including hsCRP, GCSF, GMCSF, IL-4, IL-6, RANTES, and MIP1B.

## What they found

Multiple inflammation markers showed associations with increased risk of moderate or severe cravings across the menstrual cycle, with all risk ratios greater than 1 and confidence intervals ranging from 0.71 to 2.38. After correction for multiple testing, hsCRP was significant for chocolate, sweet, and salty cravings. GCSF, GMCSF, IL-6, and RANTES were significant for chocolate and sweet cravings only.

## What it means for you

Inflammation in the body may contribute to food cravings before the period. The study was fairly large, followed women over multiple cycles, and measured inflammation markers directly, which strengthens the findings.

259

Women studied

2 cycles

Duration per woman

0.71-2.38

Confidence interval range for associations

## About the study

Original title Association of inflammation biomarkers with food cravings and appetite changes across the menstrual cycle Authors Agarwal K, Franks AT, Zhang X et al. Journal Clinical nutrition ESPEN Year 2023 Study design Survey study Participants 259 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.06.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.06.004)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)

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