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

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