Junk foods linked to more intense menopausal symptoms

Menopausal women who consume ultra-processed foods in high amounts appear to experience worse vasomotor, sexual, and somatic symptoms, as well as poorer memory and concentration, according to a study. On the other hand, high intakes of vegetables confer protection against menopausal symptoms and contribute to a better quality of life.

The cross-sectional study included 288 postmenopausal women. They completed the Kupperman-Blatt Menopausal Index and the Women's Health Questionnaire to assess the main outcomes of menopausal symptom intensity and quality of life, respectively.

Researchers also collected data on socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle variables (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and food consumption).

Results showed that most of the caloric intake in the cohort was from fresh and minimally processed foods. The women who ate high amounts of ultra-processed foods generally had moderate-to-severe intensity of menopausal symptoms.

The highest vs lowest tertile of ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a greater intensity of vasomotor symptoms (prevalence ratio [PR], 0.73, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.96) and sexual behaviour (PR, 1.22, 95 percent CI, 1.01–1.49).

Furthermore, higher intake levels of sugar-sweetened beverages and sausages correlated with somatic symptoms (PR, 1.23, 95 percent CI, 1.01–1.49) and poorer memory/concentration (PR, 1.22, 95 percent CI, 1.02–1.47/ PR 1.22, CI 1.01–1.48).

Conversely, the highest tertile of vegetable intake conferred greater protection against depressive mood (PR, 0.64, 95 percent CI 0.43–0.96), vasomotor symptoms (PR, 0.79, 95 percent CI, 0.63–0, 99), and sleep disorders (PR, 0.83, 95 percent CI, 0.69–0.99). It also contributed to better quality of life (PR, 0.79, 95 percent CI, 0.62–0.99).

Worse self-rated health, obesity, and comorbidity was associated with increased menopausal symptom intensity, whereas older age and higher education exerted a protective effect.