Cross SectionalHumann = 2002025Spain
Healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns and sperm quality from the Led-Fertyl study.
Plain-language summary
This study looked at how eating patterns relate to sperm quality in healthy young men. Researchers scored the diets of 200 men against several patterns, healthy ones like the Mediterranean and plant-based diets, and unhealthy ones like the Western diet (high in red and processed meat, refined grains, sugar, and fried food, and low in fruits and vegetables), then measured sperm count, concentration, movement, and shape. Men who stuck closer to the healthy patterns had better sperm count and movement, while those eating a more Western pattern had worse sperm quality and more abnormalities.
Key findings
- Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was linked to better sperm count, concentration, and motility.
- Men who followed a healthful plant-based diet had higher sperm count and concentration.
- Greater adherence to the Western or unhealthful plant-based diets was tied to lower sperm count and concentration.
- Men with the highest unhealthful plant-based diet scores were more likely to have abnormal sperm concentration and other sperm issues.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Cross-sectional studies are good for spotting patterns but cannot prove cause and effect.
- Population
- Healthy reproductive-age men
- Funding
- Not reported
- Watch for
- This study found that men eating closer to a Mediterranean or plant-based diet had healthier sperm, while a Western diet tracked with worse quality. If you are trying to conceive, it may be worth shifting toward whole foods, more produce and less processed meat and sugar.