---
title: What does research show about food intake and mood changes during the menstrual cycle?
description: A review of research found limited scientific evidence for most claims about food affecting mood during the cycle. Health professionals should tell women that
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/women-food-and-mood-1997/
---

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- What does research show about food intake and mood changes during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1997

# What does research show about food intake and mood changes during the menstrual cycle?

A review of research found limited scientific evidence for most claims about food affecting mood during the cycle. Health professionals should tell women that the relationship is complex and needs more study.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review on women throughout the menstrual cycle

## What they did

This was a review of published research on food intake, food cravings, and mood throughout the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Scientific support for reported associations between food intake and mood was sparse. The review concluded that many hypotheses about food and mood changes need further research.

## What it means for you

Health professionals should explain that the connection between food and mood is complex. Without strong scientific evidence, women should be cautious about assuming certain foods will affect their mood in predictable ways.

## About the study

Original title Women, food, and mood Authors Kurzer MS Journal Nutrition reviews Year 1997 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.1997.tb01616.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.1997.tb01616.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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.

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