---
title: Do carbohydrates and fiber in the diet affect PMS risk? | Niyora
description: No. Overall carbohydrate and fiber intake were not linked to PMS risk. Maltose was the only exception, with highest intake associated with 1.45 times higher P
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/carbohydrate-and-fiber-intake-and-the-risk-of-premenstrual-syndrome-2018/
---

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- Do carbohydrates and fiber in the diet affect PMS risk?

Case-control study, 2018

# Do carbohydrates and fiber in the diet affect PMS risk?

No. Overall carbohydrate and fiber intake were not linked to PMS risk. Maltose was the only exception, with highest intake associated with 1.45 times higher PMS risk, but this needs confirmation from other studies.

 Moderate study design

1,234 women with PMS and 2,426 controls without PMS in Nurses' Health Study II.

## What they did

Prospective cohort study within Nurses' Health Study II. Women reported carbohydrate and fiber intake at baseline and three times during follow-up. Over 14 years, researchers identified 1,234 women with validated PMS and 2,426 controls without PMS.

## What they found

Total carbohydrate intake was not associated with PMS risk (RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.74-1.33 comparing highest to lowest intake). Most specific carbohydrates and fibers showed no association. However, women with highest maltose intake (median 3.0 g/day) had RR = 1.45 (95% CI = 1.11-1.88) compared to lowest intake (median 1.2 g/day).

## What it means for you

Common advice to cut carbs or increase fiber for PMS is not supported by this evidence. The maltose finding is new and needs confirmation. A main limitation is reliance on women's self-reported diet, which can be inaccurate.

1,234

Women with PMS identified over 14 years

0.99

Relative risk for total carbohydrates (highest vs lowest)

1.45

Relative risk for highest maltose intake

## About the study

Original title Carbohydrate and fiber intake and the risk of premenstrual syndrome Authors Houghton SC, Manson JE, Whitcomb BW et al. Journal European journal of clinical nutrition Year 2018 Study design Case-control study Participants 2,426 What was tested Carbohydrate and fiber intake Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41430-017-0076-8](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-017-0076-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)

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