Cross SectionalHumann = 2742024
Correlation of mediterranean diet pattern and lifestyle factors with semen quality of men attending fertility clinics: A cross-sectional study.
Plain-language summary
This study looked at whether following a Mediterranean diet is linked to better semen quality in men visiting fertility clinics. It compared semen parameters across 274 men grouped by how closely they followed the diet, using a detailed food questionnaire. Men who stuck closest to the Mediterranean diet had higher sperm counts, better movement, and more normal shapes. The study suggests that eating a Mediterranean-style diet may improve semen quality.
Key findings
- Men with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had the best sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, and normal morphology.
- No significant differences were found in semen volume or viscosity across diet adherence groups.
- Higher Mediterranean diet scores were positively correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motility.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Cross-sectional studies are good at spotting links between factors at one point in time but cannot prove cause and effect.
- Population
- Men attending fertility clinics, with both normal and abnormal semen parameters.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Watch for
- This study found that men who followed a Mediterranean diet more closely had healthier sperm counts, movement, and shapes. If you are trying to conceive, it may be worth shifting toward a Mediterranean-style diet.