Women, food, and mood

Associations between food intake and mood greatly interest both lay and scientific audiences, although scientific support for many observed associations is sparse. Of particular interest are issues surrounding food intake, food cravings, and mood in women throughout the menstrual cycle. Further research is necessary to support or disprove current hypotheses about the relationship between food intake and mood. Meanwhile, health professionals should be prepared to inform the public about the complexity of factors that influence the relationship between food intake and mood.