Чому у передменструальному періоді у жінок виникає неберебориме бажання з’їсти чогось солодкого? У цьому питанні розбиралися дослідники з усього світу.
Why do you want to eat during your period?
Why do you want to eat during your period? “I think I’ll eat an elephant right now” is a popular phrase among women in the premenstrual period. The desire to chew something during this period is the basis for endless jokes. And as they say, these jokes are funny because they are true.
Let’s figure out why do you want to eat during your period? Why do women struggle with the desire to eat something tasty at certain times of the menstrual cycle?
Researchers have studied food cravings for years. One of the most cited studies dates back to 1953. Scientists – and many others – want to know what food is for a person and how to minimize cravings for it.
Food cravings before menstruation – why do you want to eat during your period?
Increased appetite is one of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. PMS is caused by hormonal fluctuations in a woman’s body and their effect on chemical messengers in the brain, the so-called neurotransmitters. A couple of days before “these days”, the desire to eat everything that comes to hand only intensifies and gradually disappears on the 3-4th day of menstruation.
Such a desire is usually combined with mood swings, irritability, anxiety, sad or depressed mood (which, by the way, are also symptoms of PMS).
But, as researchers have found, food cravings can occur throughout the premenstrual period in normal healthy women without a diagnosis of PMS or another disorder.
Studies confirm that women eat more during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. With or without a diagnosis of PMS, this increased food intake can amount to up to 500 extra calories per day.
What causes this irresistible desire to eat?
Researchers are not exactly sure where it comes from, but there are a few leading theories.
The first theory: Women subconsciously use chocolate as a pharmacological therapy.
Eating carbohydrates increases serotonin and neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. This reduces pain, improves overall well-being and makes women happy.
A second possible explanation is that food brings women physical and psychological comfort. A woman feels good when she eats a delicious meal, and in this case, food can play a certain sensory role. In studies of this, women report that eating their favorite food relieves the unpleasant symptoms of PMS.
Food cravings are also linked to hormones. Scientists have noticed that women tend to eat more when estrogen levels are low and progesterone levels are high. The fact that progesterone-based birth control pills are associated with weight gain, likely due to increased appetite, also supports this theory.
How can you get rid of “monthly cravings” without harming yourself?
First, pay attention to yourself during PMS and listen to your body. After all, unhealthy food cravings before your period can be the first symptom of PMS.
Certain lifestyle modifications can help balance and minimize unwanted symptoms. Practice yoga, meditate, do breathing exercises, and get enough sleep.
Change your diet. Replace sweets with healthy carbohydrates (brown rice, barley, beans, and lentils). Avoid alcohol and coffee. Eat more foods rich in calcium, including green leafy vegetables and dairy products.
Try magnesium supplements. This mineral can help reduce water retention and bloating, reduce breast tenderness, and improve mood.
