Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Influence of Mediterranean Diet on Sexual Function in People with Metabolic Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Vittorio Oteri, Francesco Galeano, Stefania Panebianco, Tommaso Piticchio, Rosario Le Moli, Lucia Frittitta, Veronica Vella, Roberto Baratta, Damiano Gullo, Francesco Frasca, Andrea Tumminia

Nutrients · 2024

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Summary

This narrative review synthesises recent literature on the interconnection between metabolic syndrome and sexual dysfunction, evaluating the Mediterranean diet's potential therapeutic role across both sexes. The authors report that Mediterranean diet adherence appears to ameliorate erectile dysfunction and improve sperm parameters in men, whilst partially recovering sexual dysfunctions in women related to menstrual dysfunction, menopause, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. The review attributes these effects to the diet's documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory properties, though the authors acknowledge that more targeted research is required to validate findings across different dietary approaches.

Regional applicability

The findings on Mediterranean diet and sexual health outcomes are relevant to UK clinical and public health practice, particularly for managing metabolic syndrome-related complications. However, applicability may be limited by the review's Mediterranean geographic focus and the need for UK-specific dietary adaptation and outcome validation in British populations.

Key measures

Erectile dysfunction severity, sperm parameters (unspecified), sexual dysfunction recovery rates across multiple female conditions (menstrual cycle disorders, menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome)

Outcomes reported

The narrative review examined the relationship between metabolic syndrome and sexual dysfunction in both men and women, with emphasis on Mediterranean diet's therapeutic efficacy in improving sexual function outcomes. Outcomes assessed included erectile dysfunction and sperm parameters in men, and menstrual cycle, menopausal, endometriosis-related, and polycystic ovary syndrome-related sexual dysfunctions in women.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Dietary patterns & chronic disease
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.3390/nu16193397
Catalogue ID
SNmojaczmd-blwkgs

Topic tags

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