---
title: Does eating lower glycemic index carbohydrates help reduce PMS symptoms?
description: Yes. Lower glycemic index diet was associated with fewer overall PMS symptoms and specifically with fewer concentration problems, autonomic reactions, and wat
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dietary-glycemic-index-is-associated-with-decreased-premenstrual-symptoms-in-2008/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does eating lower glycemic index carbohydrates help reduce PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2008

# Does eating lower glycemic index carbohydrates help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Lower glycemic index diet was associated with fewer overall PMS symptoms and specifically with fewer concentration problems, autonomic reactions, and water retention.

 Early or limited evidence

640 female Japanese university students aged 18-22 years

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 640 female Japanese university students aged 18-22. Researchers assessed their diet using a questionnaire and asked about menstrual symptoms using a validated questionnaire that tracked symptoms throughout the cycle.

## What they found

Lower glycemic index diet was independently associated with lower total PMS symptom scores (P=0.02). It also showed independent associations with reduced concentration problems, autonomic reactions, and water retention (P<0.05). Glycemic load and fiber intake were not associated with symptom changes.

## What it means for you

Eating lower glycemic index carbohydrates may help reduce PMS symptoms, particularly concentration problems and water retention. This was an observational study of a specific group (dietetic students in Japan), so it shows association only, not proof that diet directly causes symptom changes.

640

women studied

18-22

age range in years

P=0.02

significance for overall symptom reduction

## About the study

Original title Dietary glycemic index is associated with decreased premenstrual symptoms in young Japanese women Authors Murakami K, Sasaki S, Takahashi Y et al. Journal Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Year 2008 Study design Survey study Participants 640 What was tested Dietary glycemic index Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2008.02.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2008.02.003)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)

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

Survey study, 2021

What factors affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Study, 1976

Do mood and body changes happen at the same time in the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2026

Can changing your diet help with period and PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and bloating?

Survey study, 2025

Can a plant-based supplement reduce PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2021

Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗