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.
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
Topics
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