Researchers have investigated how birth control pills may affect women's eating habits.
The study included 422 women who were monitored through two birth control pill cycles over a period of 49 days.
Each day, participants recorded their eating habits and dietary intake.
The results showed that this daily tracking alone could reduce emotionally driven eating.
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Researchers therefore believe that it may be a simple way for individuals to become more aware of their habits, according to HealthDay.
Hormones play a role
According to the researchers, the hormones in combined oral contraceptives may influence appetite. In particular, the hormone progesterone is highlighted as a possible explanation.
The researchers point out that combined birth control pills create a hormonal profile similar to the phase of the menstrual cycle during which the risk of appetite changes may be higher.
At the same time, experts emphasize that women respond differently to hormonal contraception. As a result, further research in this area is needed.
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Study finds increased risk in some women
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that women were more likely to experience emotionally driven eating and episodes of binge eating on days when they took active combined birth control pills, compared with days when they took the hormone-free pills included in the pack.
The researchers stress that the findings do not mean that all women will experience this issue.
However, the study suggests that combined birth control pills may increase the risk of binge eating in some women and should be examined further in future research.
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