Study Suggests Inflammatory Diets Double the Risk of Infertility in Women

The Hidden Connection: Inflammation, Diet, and Fertility

Infertility affects about 15% of couples worldwide, causing emotional and psychological stress for millions. While many factors can impact fertility, new research from Iran shines a spotlight on a surprising culprit: the inflammatory potential of what we eat.

What Is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?

The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a scientific way to measure how pro- or anti-inflammatory your daily diet is. Diets rich in fruits, veggies, fiber, and healthy fats score low (anti-inflammatory), while those high in refined sugars, saturated fat, and processed foods score high (pro-inflammatory). Chronic inflammation is known to disrupt ovulation, egg quality, and hormone balance—all crucial for conception.

Inside the Study: How Diet Influences Fertility

Researchers compared 123 infertile women with 123 healthy controls. Using detailed food questionnaires and blood markers of ovarian reserve, they calculated each woman’s DII score. The results were striking:

Women with a higher DII (more inflammatory diets) were twice as likely to experience infertility compared to those with lower DII scores—even after accounting for age, BMI, and health conditions.

The healthiest women (lowest DII) ate more fiber, antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, E, and zinc), and healthy fats (omega-3s), and less cholesterol.

Diets with a high DII were also linked to a greater history of IVF failure and lower levels of key nutrients needed for reproductive health.

Why Does This Matter?

The findings suggest that chronic, low-grade inflammation from poor dietary choices may compromise ovarian reserve—meaning fewer and lower-quality eggs available for conception. This connection persisted even after adjusting for other risk factors, making diet an independent predictor of fertility challenges.

Takeaway: Nourish Your Fertility with Food

While more research is needed, this study adds to growing evidence that nutrition isn’t just about weight—it’s about inflammation, too. Women hoping to optimize their fertility may benefit from focusing on anti-inflammatory foods: colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber.

5 Key Takeaways:

A high-inflammatory diet (high DII) doubles the risk of infertility in women.

Diets rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats support better ovarian reserve.

History of IVF failure is higher among women with more inflammatory diets.

Chronic inflammation from poor diet may directly impact egg quality and ovulation.

Embracing anti-inflammatory foods could be a simple, natural way to support fertility.

Citation:

KabodMehri, R., Vahid, F., Nami, S., et al. (2025). The risk of infertility and dietary inflammatory index, a case–control study in Iran. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 312, 2259–2267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-025-08222-0