Effects of Mediterranean diet on semen parameters in healthy young adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Dietary regimens have so far been studied as possible determinants of semen quality and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Mediterranean diet, as compared with a low-fat diet, on seminal parameters of young healthy adults from southern Italy.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial, 160 young adults aged 18-30 years were assigned to Mediterranean diet (N.=80) or a low-fat diet (N.=80). The primary outcome measures were changes in semen parameters after six months.

RESULTS

Mean age of participants in the study was 24.7 years. There was no difference in baseline semen parameters of men randomized to Mediterranean diet or low-fat diet. After the entire follow-up, participants in both groups showed a significant increase in sperm concentration and sperm total count, with significant differences favoring the Mediterranean diet group (sperm concentration, 1.93 M/mL 95% CI [1.22 to 3.64], P=0.027; total sperm count 8.02 M 95% CI [1.51 to 15.45], P=0.035). No differences in other semen parameters were found between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy young adults, the consumption of Mediterranean diet was associated with an improvement of both sperm concentration and total count, as compared with a low-fat diet.