---
title: Does a Western diet increase PMS risk? | Niyora
description: Possibly, but evidence is mixed. Women eating more Western diet appear more likely to have PMS, but the pattern is not entirely consistent across all groups.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/western-dietary-pattern-is-related-to-premenstrual-syndrome-a-case-control-study-2015/
---

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- Does a Western diet increase PMS risk?

Case-control study, 2015

# Does a Western diet increase PMS risk?

Possibly, but evidence is mixed. Women eating more Western diet appear more likely to have PMS, but the pattern is not entirely consistent across all groups.

 Moderate study design

160 nurses with PMS and 160 nurses without PMS

## What they did

Researchers compared diet in 160 nurses with PMS to 160 nurses without PMS. They asked about food intake over the past year and used statistical analysis to identify three dietary patterns.

## What they found

Three dietary patterns were identified: healthy, Western, and traditional. Women eating more Western diet (fast foods, processed foods) were more likely to have PMS than those eating the least Western diet. Women in higher groups for Western diet eating had more PMS. However, the pattern was not consistent at all levels - there was no clear dose-response relationship showing steadily more PMS with more Western food. Healthy and traditional patterns showed protective effects.

## What it means for you

Western diet may contribute to PMS in some women, but the evidence is suggestive rather than definitive. The relationship was not as clear-cut as it might be. More research in other populations is needed before recommending diet changes specifically to prevent PMS.

160

nurses with PMS

160

nurses without PMS

## About the study

Original title Western dietary pattern is related to premenstrual syndrome: a case-control study Authors Farasati N, Siassi F, Koohdani F et al. Journal The British journal of nutrition Year 2015 Study design Case-control study Participants 320 What was tested None - dietary pattern comparison Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0007114515003943](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114515003943)

## 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/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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