Survey study, 2023
Is higher vitamin C linked to premenstrual symptoms?
Higher vitamin C intake was linked to appetite changes. Suboptimal blood vitamin C levels were linked to appetite changes and bloating, but adequate levels were not clearly linked to either symptom.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 555 women aged 20-29 in Toronto. They measured dietary vitamin C intake, tested blood vitamin C levels, checked a gene called GSTT1, and asked about 15 premenstrual symptoms.
What they found
Women with higher vitamin C intake were more likely to report appetite changes. Women with low-normal blood vitamin C levels were more likely to report appetite changes and bloating. Women with adequate blood vitamin C levels showed no clear link to appetite changes or bloating. A particular version of the GSTT1 gene was linked to increased risk of bloating and swelling.
What it means for you
Higher vitamin C intake is linked to some premenstrual symptoms, though the pattern is unclear. This is a cross-sectional study, so we cannot say vitamin C causes these symptoms; they might be connected another way or due to other factors. The findings about genetics suggest something real might be happening.
555
women studied
75 mg/d
recommended daily vitamin C
20-29 years
age range
About the study
- Original title
- Associations Between Dietary Vitamin C, Serum Ascorbic Acid, and GSTT1 Genotype and Premenstrual Symptoms
- Authors
- Zeitoun T, El-Sohemy A
- Journal
- Journal of the American Nutrition Association
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 555
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2023.2186963
Topics
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