Randomised trial, 1999
Does the drop in progesterone or stress during the menstrual cycle cause chocolate and sweets cravings?
This study found no clear evidence either way. Neither progesterone nor a tranquilizer reduced chocolate or sweets craving in women with severe PMS.
What they did
Women with severe PMS who craved chocolate or sweets tracked their cravings daily for 6 menstrual cycles. 44 women with chocolate craving and 44 with sweet craving were then randomly assigned double-blind to receive either placebo, progesterone, or alprazolam (a tranquilizer) from week 3 of the cycle through day 2 after their period, for 3 months.
What they found
Neither progesterone nor alprazolam decreased chocolate or sweets craving.
What it means for you
The two leading theories about what causes perimenstrual chocolate and sweets cravings (low progesterone or tension) are not supported by this study. The actual cause remains unclear. This study was only in women with severe PMS who craved these foods.
44
women with chocolate craving cycles
44
women with sweets craving cycles
3 months
treatment duration
About the study
- Original title
- The role of low progesterone and tension as triggers of perimenstrual chocolate and sweets craving: some negative experimental evidence
- Authors
- Michener W, Rozin P, Freeman E et al.
- Journal
- Physiology & behavior
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Progesterone, alprazolam tranquilizer, or placebo
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9384(99)00094-3
Topics
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