Association between dietary patterns and premenstrual disorders: A cross-sectional analysis of 1382 college students in China Original paper

What was studied?

This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis to examine the association between dietary patterns and premenstrual disorders (PMDs), including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), among young women in China. Using data from 1382 female college students, dietary intake and PMD symptoms were assessed to identify how regional and specific dietary patterns influence the prevalence and severity of PMDs.

Who was studied?

The participants were female medical and health science students aged 17–30 years from Sichuan University in China. Among them, 24.4% met the criteria for PMDs, with 22.2% classified as PMS and 2.17% as probable PMDD. The study evaluated their dietary habits via food frequency questionnaires, assessed PMD symptoms using a validated tool, and controlled for lifestyle, psychological, and demographic factors.

What were the most important findings?

The study identified three main dietary patterns: Traditional North China Diet (TNCD), Traditional South China Diet (TSCD), and Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Diet (LVD). The TSCD, characterized by high intake of rice, red meat, poultry, and fresh vegetables, showed a statistically significant inverse association with PMDs. This means higher adherence to TSCD correlated with reduced PMD prevalence and symptom severity across both PMS and PMDD subtypes. Notably, rice consumption alone was inversely associated with PMDs, potentially due to its effects on brain serotonin regulation and mood stabilization. While animal protein sources like red meat and poultry provided essential micronutrients linked to lower PMD risks, such as vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, and zinc, their role remains complex due to variability in hormonal content and potential metabolic effects. The study also found that this dietary association was independent of comorbid depression/anxiety, BMI, and other confounders, and was robust across different symptom severities and onset timings. The findings suggest that localized dietary patterns may play a crucial role in managing or preventing PMDs, although causal inferences are limited by the cross-sectional design.

What are the greatest implications of this study?

This research highlights that adherence to regional dietary patterns, particularly the Traditional South China Diet, may serve as an effective, culturally relevant approach to reduce PMD burden in young women. While the study does not directly involve microbiome signatures, the dietary patterns identified align with diets known to influence gut microbial composition and function, suggesting an indirect link whereby diet modulates PMD symptoms, potentially via the gut-brain axis and microbiome-related pathways. Clinicians should consider dietary counseling tailored to local food practices as part of holistic PMD management. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for prospective and mechanistic research to confirm these associations and explore how dietary modulation of the gut microbiome can be leveraged to develop targeted microbiome-based interventions for PMDs. Such insights could pave the way for non-pharmacological strategies that complement existing therapies, improving patient outcomes through diet and microbiome health.