Another Mediterranean Diet Bonus: Healthier Sperm, Better Fertility

By Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Dec. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Add better chances of conceiving a baby to the list of health benefits linked to the much-touted Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet – which is rich in fresh fruits and veggies, healthy fats like olive oil, whole grains, legumes, nuts and fish – has been shown to boost brain health, and reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Now, researchers in Australia report that this style of eating also can improve fertility, the chances of success with assisted reproductive technology, and sperm quality in men.

The common denominator? Inflammation.

“Our review demonstrates that the Mediterranean Diet may also increase fertility and provide benefits for couples who are trying to have children,” said study author Simon Alesi, a researcher at Monash University in Melbourne.

“Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a factor that contributes to poor reproductive and fertility outcomes, often termed ‘inflammatory infertility’ in the evidence,” Alesi said. “And the bionutrients in the Mediterranean diet such as monounsaturated fats, flavonoids, vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and the limited intake of processed meat, are likely to reduce inflammation in the body, thus improving fertility.”

By contrast, the traditional Western diet, which is low in fruits and vegetables and high in fat and sodium, has been linked to more inflammation and other health problems.

For…