---
title: Does eating more carbohydrates help premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: Yes. Carbohydrate supplements and high carbohydrate diet both significantly reduced PMS symptom intensity, with supplements more effective than diet. This is
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-of-the-effect-of-carbohydrate-rich-supplement-and-diet-on-2010/
---

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- Does eating more carbohydrates help premenstrual syndrome?

Survey study, 2010

# Does eating more carbohydrates help premenstrual syndrome?

Yes. Carbohydrate supplements and high carbohydrate diet both significantly reduced PMS symptom intensity, with supplements more effective than diet. This is moderate confidence from a small 3-month trial.

 Moderate study design

80 women (76 completed) with PMS

## What they did

Cross-over interventional study where 80 women with PMS were assigned to three groups: high carbohydrate diet, protein diet, or carbohydrate supplements. Women followed the study protocol for 3 months and recorded symptoms daily.

## What they found

76 women completed the study. PMS and symptom intensity (mood, behavioral and physical) decreased significantly using carbohydrate supplements and high carbohydrate diet (p=0.001). Carbohydrate supplements were more effective than high carbohydrate diet (p=0.001). Both had the same effect on anger, depression and appetite.

## What it means for you

Adding carbohydrates or carbohydrate supplements may reduce PMS symptoms. The study is small with only 76 completers from one location, so larger studies are needed to confirm this works for everyone.

76

women completed the study

p=0.001

significance for carbohydrate benefit

3

months duration

## About the study

Original title Comparison of the effect of carbohydrate rich supplement and diet on premenstrual syndrome Authors Zohreh Mahmoodi, F Shahpoorian, Farideh Bastani et al. Journal Majallah-i dānishgāh-i ̒ulūm-i pizishkī-i Kirmānshāh Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 80 What was tested High carbohydrate diet, carbohydrate supplements, or protein diet for 3 months Read the paper [doi.org/10.22110/jkums.v14i1.286](https://doi.org/10.22110/jkums.v14i1.286)

## 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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