Mediterranean diet adherence and healthy diet indicator might decrease odds of endometriosis

Diet may play a crucial role in managing endometriosis. Dietary interventions could help women with endometriosis improve their quality of life and reduce pain symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) with the odds of endometriosis among Iranian women. In this hospital-based case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran, from February to September 2021, women diagnosed with endometriosis and healthy controls were recruited. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of the Mediterranean diet (assessed using the MEDI-Lite score) and HDI with the odds of endometriosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that women with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDI-Lite score > mean) had 94% lower odds of endometriosis (OR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Similarly, women with higher HDI scores had 95% lower odds of endometriosis (adjusted OR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.12; p < 0.001). These findings suggest an inverse association between endometriosis and adherence to both the Mediterranean diet and HDI. Greater adherence to these dietary patterns may be recommended as part of preventive and therapeutic strategies for endometriosis.