---
title: Does eating certain foods increase the risk of PMS? | Niyora
description: Women with PMS ate more sugary and processed foods, and eating these frequently was linked to higher PMS risk. A diet low in simple sugars is recommended.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dietary-factors-associated-with-premenstrual-syndrome-a-cross-sectional-study-of-2022/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does eating certain foods increase the risk of PMS?

Survey study, 2022

# Does eating certain foods increase the risk of PMS?

Women with PMS ate more sugary and processed foods, and eating these frequently was linked to higher PMS risk. A diet low in simple sugars is recommended.

 Moderate study design

237 university students in Turkey (131 with PMS, 106 without)

## What they did

A questionnaire study comparing 131 university students with PMS to 106 without PMS in Turkey. Students reported their three-day food intake and completed a PMS scale. Statistical analysis calculated how much each food increased PMS risk.

## What they found

Women with PMS consumed more milk puddings, ice cream, biscuits, honey, jam, sugar, coffee, and soft drinks. Risk increased 2.903 times with frequent ice cream (1-2 times per week or more), 2.468 times with honey or jam (5-6 times per week or more), and 2.270 times with sugar (5-6 times per week or more). Lower income also increased PMS risk.

## What it means for you

This is an observational study, so we cannot say these foods cause PMS, only that women with PMS eat them more often. The study was limited to Turkish university students, so findings may not apply widely. Results suggest a diet with complex carbohydrates and limited simple sugar.

2.903

Risk increase with frequent ice cream

2.468

Risk increase with frequent honey/jam

2.270

Risk increase with frequent sugar

## About the study

Original title Dietary factors associated with premenstrual syndrome: A cross-sectional study of Turkish university students: Premenstrual syndrome and nutrition Authors Müge Yılmaz, Sali̇me Mucuk, Atuk et al. Journal Progress in nutrition Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 131 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.23751/pn.v23i4.11338](https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v23i4.11338)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2025

How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling?

Non-randomised trial, 2026

Do dietary changes or sun exposure reduce PMS symptoms in adolescent girls?

Survey study, 2026

What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?

Cohort study, 2026

Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students?

Survey study, 2026

What factors most strongly drive PMS severity in female engineering students?

Cohort study, 2026

Are stress, physical activity, and diet linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗