--- title: Is eating ultra-processed foods linked to premenstrual syndrome symptoms and food cravings? description: Women with PMS ate significantly more ultra-processed foods and reported more food cravings, which appear linked to PMS symptoms. However, the study cannot pr url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-ultra-processed-food-intake-and-food-cravings-a-new-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is eating ultra-processed foods linked to premenstrual syndrome symptoms and food cravings? Survey study, 2025 # Is eating ultra-processed foods linked to premenstrual syndrome symptoms and food cravings? Women with PMS ate significantly more ultra-processed foods and reported more food cravings, which appear linked to PMS symptoms. However, the study cannot prove that processed foods cause PMS. Early or limited evidence 230 young adult women, mean age 20.6 ± 1.8 years, 61.3% with PMS ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 230 young adult women with mean age 20.6 ± 1.8 years. Women recorded their diet over one menstrual cycle and completed questionnaires about PMS symptoms and food cravings. ## What they found 61.3% had PMS. Women with PMS consumed significantly more ultra-processed food calories during their menstrual phase (1042.0 ± 30.6 kcal versus 635.6 ± 41.3 kcal in women without PMS) and reported higher food cravings. Ultra-processed food intake and food cravings were significant factors associated with PMS scores. ## What it means for you Ultra-processed food consumption and food cravings are linked to PMS symptoms. Changing diet might help, but this is a small study of young women only, so results may not apply to all ages. The study shows association, not that processed foods cause PMS. 61.3% had PMS 1042.0 ± 30.6 kcal ultra-processed food with PMS 635.6 ± 41.3 kcal ultra-processed food without PMS ## About the study Original title Premenstrual Syndrome, Ultra-Processed Food Intake, and Food Cravings: A New Perspective Authors Bodur M, Ersoy-Söke N, Karademir E et al. Journal Food science & nutrition Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 230 What was tested None - observational dietary study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70520](https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70520) Original abstract To investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) prevalence, ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, and food cravings in young adult women. A cross-sectional study was conducted over one menstrual cycle, utilizing the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale to assess PMS symptoms and the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait to evaluate food cravings. Dietary data, including UPF consumption, were collected through self-reported dietary records. The study was carried out among young adult women, focusing on their dietary behaviors and menstrual health. A total of 230 women participated in the study, with a mean age of 20.6 ± 1.8 years. The prevalence of PMS was 61.3% among the participants. Women with PMS reported significantly higher UPF consumption and increased food craving scores compared to those without PMS. UPF energy intake during the menstrual phase was significantly higher in women with PMS (1042.0 ± 30.6 kcal vs. 635.6 ± 41.3 kcal, p B = 0.468, p B = 0.018, p = 0.022) as significant determinants of PMS scores. Excessive consumption of UPFs and increased food cravings are associated with PMS symptoms. These findings highlight the necessity of considering menstrual-related variations in dietary interventions, particularly with regard to the consumption of UPF and the management of cravings. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[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 Review, 2001 What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? Review, 1997 Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS? Randomised trial, 2026 Does training based on health promotion model reduce PMS symptoms, emotional eating, and stress? Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Case-control study, 2025 Are emotional eating and dietary habits linked to PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗