Mediterranean Diet as an Interventional Therapy for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
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Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 16th, 2026
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The Mediterranean diet, characterized by high intake of olive oil, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with reduced consumption of red meat and dairy products, has been associated with improved weight control, better cardiovascular outcomes, and reduced systemic inflammation. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by immune dysregulation. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined whether the anti-inflammatory properties of the Mediterranean diet could be leveraged as a therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.
Funding Source(s): Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
The clinical trial enrolled 38 adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. At baseline, assessment using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) showed median scores ranging from 3.8 to 4.8, where a score of 10 reflects more severe disease. On average, approximately 4% of total body surface area was affected by psoriatic lesions. Participants were randomly assigned to either follow a Mediterranean diet or continue with a control diet.
After 16 weeks, individuals in the Mediterranean diet group demonstrated significant clinical improvement. Specifically, there was a mean reduction of 3.4 points in PASI score and a 3.1% decrease in affected body surface area. The observed benefits are consistent with the diet’s ability to reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, attributable to its high content of antioxidant vitamins such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, as well as polyphenols and other phytochemicals. Longer-term studies are warranted to determine the durability of these effects and to clarify the role of dietary modification as part of comprehensive psoriasis management.
Funding Source(s): Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
The clinical trial enrolled 38 adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. At baseline, assessment using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) showed median scores ranging from 3.8 to 4.8, where a score of 10 reflects more severe disease. On average, approximately 4% of total body surface area was affected by psoriatic lesions. Participants were randomly assigned to either follow a Mediterranean diet or continue with a control diet.
After 16 weeks, individuals in the Mediterranean diet group demonstrated significant clinical improvement. Specifically, there was a mean reduction of 3.4 points in PASI score and a 3.1% decrease in affected body surface area. The observed benefits are consistent with the diet’s ability to reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, attributable to its high content of antioxidant vitamins such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, as well as polyphenols and other phytochemicals. Longer-term studies are warranted to determine the durability of these effects and to clarify the role of dietary modification as part of comprehensive psoriasis management.