Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Greater Premenstrual Symptom Severity in Young Women, Study Finds

Could eating more ultra-processed foods make premenstrual syndrome symptoms worse? A new study suggests that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be associated with greater premenstrual symptom severity, while certain mindful eating behaviours could be linked to reduced discomfort.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the study conducted by researchers at the University of Health Sciences in Ankara, Turkey, investigated the relationship between dietary habits, mindful eating and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among young adult women.

Researchers analysed data from 607 women aged 18 to 30 years, with an average age of approximately 21.5 years.

Participants completed questionnaires assessing ultra-processed food consumption, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, mindful eating behaviours and premenstrual symptoms.

The findings revealed that higher ultra-processed food consumption scores were independently associated with greater PMS severity.

Importantly, each one-point increase in the ultra-processed food screening score was associated with a 1.14-point increase in PMS symptom scores.

Researchers also examined four aspects of mindful eating, including non-judgment, non-reactance, internal awareness and external awareness.

The analysis found that women who demonstrated greater non-judgment and non-reactance towards eating experiences reported lower PMS severity.

Non-judgment involves accepting eating experiences without self-criticism, while non-reactance refers to recognising food-related urges and emotions without automatically responding to them.

However, awareness of hunger and fullness signals and sensitivity to environmental food cues were not independently associated with PMS severity after statistical adjustments.

Although Mediterranean diet adherence initially showed a weak association with fewer symptoms, this relationship was not statistically significant after accounting for other factors.

Researchers suggested that dietary patterns and eating-related behaviours may influence premenstrual experiences, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

The findings highlight the need for further clinical studies to determine whether reducing ultra-processed food intake and adopting specific mindful eating practices can improve premenstrual health.

REFERENCE: Erokay Metin, Z., Sarıteke, Y., Yücel, S., & Arslan, N. (2026). Associations of ultra processed food consumption and mindful eating with premenstrual syndrome severity in young adult women. Scientific Reports. DOI – 10.1038/s41598-026-80212-x.