Anti-Inflammatory Diets in Fertility: An Evidence Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether dietary interventions, including increased flavonoid intake, could improve fertility outcomes by reducing inflammation.
Results Summary
The study found that adherence to anti-inflammatory diets, including higher flavonoid intake, was associated with improved fertility, ART success, and sperm quality. The review consistently supported the role of flavonoids in enhancing reproductive outcomes.
Population
Couples and individuals affected by infertility (48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
adherence to anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet | increase | fertility | - | - | improves | #1 |
adherence to anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet | increase | assisted reproductive technology (ART) success | - | - | improves | #2 |
adherence to anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet | increase | sperm quality | men | - | improves | #3 |
increased intake of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids | neutral | - | - | - | - | #4 |
reduced intake of red and processed meat | neutral | - | - | - | - | #5 |
dietary interventions which act to reduce inflammation | increase | fertility outcomes | - | - | may improve | #6 |
integration of anti-inflammatory dietary patterns as low-risk adjunctive fertility treatments | increase | fertility | - | partially or fully | may improve | #7 |
integration of anti-inflammatory dietary patterns as low-risk adjunctive fertility treatments | decrease | need for prolonged or intensive pharmacological or surgical interventions | - | - | reduce | #8 |
Infertility is a global health concern affecting 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide. Infertility creates a significant economic and social burden for couples who wish to conceive and has been associated with suboptimal lifestyle factors, including poor diet and physical inactivity. Modifying preconception nutrition to better adhere with Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) is a non-invasive and potentially effective means for improving fertility outcomes. While several dietary patterns have been associated with fertility outcomes, the mechanistic links between diet and infertility remain unclear. A key mechanism outlined in the literature relates to the adverse effects of inflammation on fertility, potentially contributing to irregular menstrual cyclicity, implantation failure, and other negative reproductive sequelae. Therefore, dietary interventions which act to reduce inflammation may improve fertility outcomes. This review consistently shows that adherence to anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet (specifically, increased intake of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, and reduced intake of red and processed meat) improves fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) success, and sperm quality in men. Therefore, integration of anti-inflammatory dietary patterns as low-risk adjunctive fertility treatments may improve fertility partially or fully and reduce the need for prolonged or intensive pharmacological or surgical interventions.