Food intake, body weight, and sweetness preferences over the menstrual cycle in humans.

The body weight and reported food intake of 34 women were measured at the midpoint of the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Both body weight and reported food intake were significantly higher during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase. In addition, sweetness (sucrose) preferences were measured on both occasions before and after a glucose load. Examination of the pre- to post-load changes revealed a significant decline during the luteal phase and the absence of such a decline in the follicular phase. The results were discussed in terms of the influence of ovarian hormones on food regulation and carbohydrate metabolism.