News | Are Sperm Picky Eaters? Study Finds Diet Significantly Affects Semen Quality
An Italian cross-sectional study published in Nutrients found a close association between men’s everyday dietary patterns and sperm quality. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) was positively associated with sperm count, motility, morphology, and other measures, while a high intake of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) may significantly harm fertility.
Led by Petre GC and colleagues, the study included 358 men aged 18 to 60 who underwent semen analysis at an Italian hospital between September 2022 and April 2024. Researchers systematically assessed adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the MEDAS questionnaire, the proportion of ultra-processed food intake (%Kal-UP), semen parameters, and related sex hormone levels, including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone.
Mediterranean diet associated with better sperm quality
Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, reflected in a higher MEDAS score, was associated with higher total sperm count, concentration, motility, and proportion of normal morphology, along with relatively lower FSH levels suggesting better hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function. Among men with normal FSH levels (<8 IU/mL), the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with better semen parameters.
This diet is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, plant protein, antioxidants, and micronutrients. It may act directly on multiple cell populations in the seminiferous tubules and improve testicular function by increasing sensitivity to FSH.
Ultra-processed food intake inversely associated with sperm quality
In contrast, semen quality declined systematically as ultra-processed food intake increased across %Kal-UP quartiles Q1–Q4. Total sperm count, concentration, motility, and normal morphology all fell significantly from Q1 to Q4.
Among men with normal FSH, sperm parameters worsened significantly with each increase in %Kal-UP category. Diet had no clear effect among men with FSH above 8 IU/mL, suggesting possible primary testicular impairment that may limit the effect of dietary changes.
Diet may be modifiable, but it is not a universal solution
Multivariable logistic regression further showed that among men with normal FSH, a Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the risk of a total sperm count below 39 million per ejaculate. Men in the Q3 and Q4 categories of ultra-processed food intake had a significantly higher risk of low total sperm count.
The authors emphasized that this cross-sectional observational study cannot establish causation. UPF intake was measured using a single 24-hour recall questionnaire, which may underestimate long-term dietary habits. Serum hormone data were also available for only some participants, so further confirmation is needed.
Expert recommendation: improve diet by focusing on modifiable factors
For men without endocrine abnormalities, improving diet through greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and lower ultra-processed food intake may be a feasible way to support fertility. Dietary intervention may still have value for men with primary testicular dysfunction, but its effect may be more limited.
The study supports incorporating dietary patterns into male infertility risk assessment and management and provides direction for future interventional research on diet and reproductive health.
News | Are Sperm Picky Eaters? Study Finds Diet Significantly Affects Semen Quality
News | Are Sperm Picky Eaters? Study Finds Diet Significantly Affects Semen Quality
An Italian cross-sectional study published in Nutrients found a close association between men’s everyday dietary patterns and sperm quality. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) was positively associated with sperm count, motility, morphology, and other measures, while a high intake of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) may significantly harm fertility.
Led by Petre GC and colleagues, the study included 358 men aged 18 to 60 who underwent semen analysis at an Italian hospital between September 2022 and April 2024. Researchers systematically assessed adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the MEDAS questionnaire, the proportion of ultra-processed food intake (%Kal-UP), semen parameters, and related sex hormone levels, including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone.
Mediterranean diet associated with better sperm quality
Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, reflected in a higher MEDAS score, was associated with higher total sperm count, concentration, motility, and proportion of normal morphology, along with relatively lower FSH levels suggesting better hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function. Among men with normal FSH levels (<8 IU/mL), the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with better semen parameters.
This diet is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, plant protein, antioxidants, and micronutrients. It may act directly on multiple cell populations in the seminiferous tubules and improve testicular function by increasing sensitivity to FSH.
Ultra-processed food intake inversely associated with sperm quality
In contrast, semen quality declined systematically as ultra-processed food intake increased across %Kal-UP quartiles Q1–Q4. Total sperm count, concentration, motility, and normal morphology all fell significantly from Q1 to Q4.
Among men with normal FSH, sperm parameters worsened significantly with each increase in %Kal-UP category. Diet had no clear effect among men with FSH above 8 IU/mL, suggesting possible primary testicular impairment that may limit the effect of dietary changes.
Diet may be modifiable, but it is not a universal solution
Multivariable logistic regression further showed that among men with normal FSH, a Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the risk of a total sperm count below 39 million per ejaculate. Men in the Q3 and Q4 categories of ultra-processed food intake had a significantly higher risk of low total sperm count.
The authors emphasized that this cross-sectional observational study cannot establish causation. UPF intake was measured using a single 24-hour recall questionnaire, which may underestimate long-term dietary habits. Serum hormone data were also available for only some participants, so further confirmation is needed.
Expert recommendation: improve diet by focusing on modifiable factors
For men without endocrine abnormalities, improving diet through greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and lower ultra-processed food intake may be a feasible way to support fertility. Dietary intervention may still have value for men with primary testicular dysfunction, but its effect may be more limited.
The study supports incorporating dietary patterns into male infertility risk assessment and management and provides direction for future interventional research on diet and reproductive health.
Story source:
Collected online