Abstract
Purpose: A carbohydrate intake may be interpreted in terms of glycemic index, and glycemic load; carbohydrates may increase brain serotonin, and in turn, act to alleviate premenstrual symptoms.
Methods: a descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences.
We carried out the study in January, February 2011. Sample included 166 female students, 18-22 y of age. We assessed dietary carbohydrate intake using a self-administered, comprehensive food frequency questionnaire. Menstrual cycle symptoms were assessed using the retrospective version of the Moos.
Results: Refined sugars constituted 80% of total carbohydrate intake among the sample. There was a significant positive association between dietary glycemic load, and some of Moos distress questionnaire subscale scores (impaired concentration, behavioral change, autonomic reactions, and water retention) in the premenstrual phase. Caffeine intake correlated positively with autonomic reactions in the premenstrual phase.
Conclusion: A high carbohydrate intake may worsen premenstrual symptoms, if mainly composed of refined sugars. The extent to which carbohydrate quality correlates with premenstrual syndrome, may help confirm whether such nutritional treatment can be a reliable alternative to pharmacotherapy for women with mild to moderate premenstrual syndrome.