Role of Mediterranean Diet and Ultra-Processed Foods on Sperm Parameters: Data from a Cross-Sectional Study

Gabriel Cosmin Petre; Francesco Francini-Pesenti; Luca De Toni; Andrea Di Nisio; Asia Mingardi; Ilaria Cosci; Nicola Passerin; Alberto Ferlin; Andrea Garolla

doi:10.3390/nu17132066

Lifestyle and Environment Nutrition and Metabolic Health

Role of Mediterranean Diet and Ultra-Processed Foods on Sperm Parameters: Data from a Cross-Sectional Study

Petre GC, Francini-Pesenti F, De Toni L, Di Nisio A, Mingardi A, Cosci I, Passerin N, Ferlin A, Garolla A

Published June 21, 2025 Nutrients

DOI 10.3390/nu17132066 PMID 40647172 PMC PMC12250936

RRM Academy Synopsis

Mediterranean diet and less ultra-processed food link to better sperm

Men who ate more like the Mediterranean diet and fewer ultra-processed foods were linked to better semen quality. This snapshot study measured 358 men at one Italian clinic. The authors report the links were independent of age and BMI.

Key Findings

The study recruited 358 men aged 18 to 60 (mean age 34.6 ± 9.3 years) at their first visit to the University Hospital of Padova, 2022 to 2024.
In these men, higher Mediterranean diet scores went with higher sperm concentration, total count, progressive motility, viability and typical morphology (all p < 0.001). Semen volume was the exception.
From the lowest to the highest quartile of calories from ultra-processed foods, mean sperm concentration, total count, progressive motility and typical morphology fell (all p < 0.01).
Moderate and high Mediterranean diet adherence went with lower odds of low sperm count (OR = 0.312; 0.250). Third and fourth ultra-processed quartiles went with higher odds (OR = 4.469; 3.490).
With high FSH levels in the model, high FSH was the only factor statistically linked to a reduced total sperm count (OR = 9.761, p = 0.001).

Interpretation

This cross-sectional study measured diet and semen quality in 358 men at one clinic. Men who ate more like the Mediterranean diet had better sperm counts, motility, viability and shape, regardless of their age or weight. Men who ate more ultra-processed food had lower values on those same measures. The authors note that diet was assessed with a questionnaire and one 24-hour food recall. The findings support larger studies that test diet changes directly.

RRM Context

Restorative reproductive medicine evaluates both partners and the root causes of fertility problems. Diet is one factor that can affect a man's fertility.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Male infertility is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and medical factors. Recent research has underscored the influence of lifestyle choices, such as dietary habits, smoking, alcohol abuse, and metabolic disturbances, on sperm quality. In this context, nutrition plays a pivotal role: adherence to a healthy diet like the Mediterranean Diet (MD), which emphasizes seasonal, fresh, and whole foods, has been linked to improved sperm performance. Conversely, a high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), characterized by additives, high levels of sugars, fats, and salt, and a nutrient-poor profile, may impair sperm quality.

Methods

Based on data supporting the reproductive health benefits of the MD, this observational cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the possible relationship between MD adherence, assessed using the 14-point a priori Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), based on the NOVA classification, and sperm quality in 358 individuals (mean age 34.6 ± 9.3 years) who spontaneously referred to our center of reproductive medicine. Semen analyses were performed according to the WHO 2021 criteria. Hormonal profiles (FSH, LH, testosterone, SHBG, bioavailable testosterone, and calculated free testosterone) were also determined.

Results

MD adherence score was significantly and positively correlated with semen parameters, whilst negatively correlated with FSH and LH levels. In contrast, UPF intake was correlated with poor semen parameters, whilst no association was observed with hormonal levels. Multivariate analyses confirmed these associations and showed the independency from age and BMI. Notably, among men with FSH levels < 8 IU/mL, higher quartiles of UPF intake had lower markers of sperm quality, particularly for viability and typical morphology. Differently, high MD adherence scores were associated with high quality sperm parameters even when FSH levels were >8 IU/mL.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that the adherence to MD, and conversely reduced intake of ultra-processed foods, is associates with a better semen profile. These findings suggest the possible role of dietary interventions as a modifiable factor in the management of male infertility.

Topics

Lifestyle and Environment › Nutrition and Metabolic Health › Dietary Patterns · Male Fertility › Male Factor Causes › Lifestyle and Environment

Gabriel Cosmin Petre, Francesco Francini-Pesenti, Luca De Toni, Andrea Di Nisio, Asia Mingardi, Ilaria Cosci, Nicola Passerin, Alberto Ferlin, Andrea Garolla

G Petre, F Francini-Pesenti, L Toni, A Nisio, A Mingardi, I Cosci, N Passerin, A Ferlin, A Garolla

PMID 40647172 40647172 DOI 10.3390/nu17132066 10.3390/nu17132066 Petre et al. 2025, Petre 2025

Role of Mediterranean Diet and Ultra-Processed Foods on Sperm Parameters: Data from a Cross-Sectional Study

Mediterranean diet and less ultra-processed food link to better sperm

Key Findings

Interpretation

RRM Context

Abstract

Topics

By this author

Related research