Aug 03, 2025
Aarushi BhaduryTo understand the co-relation between food and menstruation, a 2020 study published in the Nutrient journal researched 311 young women, all health science students at the University of Huelva in southern Spain.
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The study aimed to see how a Mediterranean diet and certain local foods affect menstrual pain and other menstrual characteristics.
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Over half of the participants followed a moderate Mediterranean diet, while about 30% had high adherence. Women with low adherence tended to have longer menstrual cycles.
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The study found a strong link between fruit intake and menstrual pain. Women who ate less than two pieces of fruit per day were nearly three times more likely to have menstrual pain.
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Surprisingly, liking and eating pulses (like beans and lentils) more than once a week was also associated with a higher likelihood of menstrual pain.
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Daily consumption of olive oil was linked to lighter menstrual bleeding. This supports the idea that the anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil might be beneficial for menstrual health.
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In contrast, women who ate cured ham weekly experienced heavier menstrual bleeding. A higher percentage of women with severe menstrual pain also ate cured ham weekly.
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Although not statistically significant, the study observed that women who consumed strawberries daily had less menstrual pain and lighter bleeding. Researchers believe this is a promising area for future study, especially since strawberries are a seasonal product.
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The study found no connection between alcohol consumption or skipping breakfast and menstrual pain. However, there was a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and a longer menstrual cycle.
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The study suggests that specific food choices—like eating fruit, olive oil, and cured ham—may have a more direct impact on menstrual health than simply following a general Mediterranean diet.
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