Researchers tested whether eating a Mediterranean diet—rich in olive oil, vegetables, and fish—could help people with psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches. In a 16-week study of 38 people with mild to moderate psoriasis, those who followed the Mediterranean diet with help from a nutritionist saw significant improvement in their skin, while those eating a standard low-fat diet saw no change. Nearly half of the Mediterranean diet group experienced a 75% improvement in their psoriasis symptoms. The diet also helped improve blood sugar control. These findings suggest that what you eat may be an important tool alongside regular treatments for managing psoriasis.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can eating a Mediterranean diet help reduce psoriasis symptoms in people with mild to moderate skin disease?
  • Who participated: 38 adults (average age 46) with mild to moderate psoriasis who were already using topical skin treatments. About two-thirds were male. Participants were split into two groups: one followed a Mediterranean diet with nutritionist guidance, and the other followed standard low-fat diet advice.
  • Key finding: After 16 weeks, people eating the Mediterranean diet saw their psoriasis severity drop by an average of 3.4 points on a 0-72 scale, while the control group saw no change. Nearly half (47%) of the Mediterranean diet group achieved a 75% improvement in their symptoms, compared to none in the control group.
  • What it means for you: If you have psoriasis, adding a Mediterranean diet to your current treatment plan may significantly improve your skin. However, this was a small study in Spain, so results may vary for different people. Talk to your doctor before making major diet changes, especially if you take medications or have other health conditions.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research. Researchers recruited 38 adults with mild to moderate psoriasis from a dermatology clinic in Madrid, Spain. They randomly divided participants into two equal groups: one received a 16-week Mediterranean diet program with weekly meetings with a nutritionist, educational materials, and free extra virgin olive oil, while the other group received standard low-fat diet advice without professional guidance.

The Mediterranean diet group was taught to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, and olive oil while limiting red meat and processed foods. The control group was simply advised to eat a low-fat diet without structured support. Researchers measured psoriasis severity using a standard scoring system at the beginning and end of the 16 weeks, along with blood tests and measurements of body weight and composition.

The study was “single-blinded,” meaning the doctors who evaluated the skin improvements didn’t know which group participants were in, which helps prevent bias in the results.

This research design is important because it’s the first rigorous randomized controlled trial testing whether diet can improve psoriasis. Previous studies suggested diet might help, but they weren’t as scientifically rigorous. By randomly assigning people to groups and having a control group, researchers can be more confident that the Mediterranean diet itself—not other factors—caused the improvement.

This study has several strengths: it was published in a top medical journal (JAMA Dermatology), used a randomized design, had an evaluator who didn’t know which group participants were in, and achieved a 97% completion rate (only one person dropped out). However, the study was relatively small (38 people), conducted in only one location in Spain, and didn’t use a placebo diet for the control group, so people knew they were eating differently. The results may not apply equally to people with severe psoriasis or those from different backgrounds.

What the Results Show

The main finding was dramatic: people following the Mediterranean diet saw their psoriasis severity score drop by an average of 3.4 points (on a scale where higher numbers mean worse disease), while the control group’s score stayed essentially the same. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

Even more impressive, 9 out of 19 people (47%) in the Mediterranean diet group achieved what doctors call “PASI 75”—a 75% improvement in their psoriasis symptoms. In contrast, zero people in the control group achieved this level of improvement. This means nearly half the Mediterranean diet group experienced major clearing of their skin condition.

The improvements appeared to be related to better adherence to the Mediterranean diet. People who stuck more closely to the diet recommendations saw better skin improvements. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet group showed improvements in blood sugar control (measured by hemoglobin A1c), suggesting the diet benefits overall health, not just skin.

Beyond skin improvement, the Mediterranean diet group showed a significant reduction in blood sugar levels (hemoglobin A1c dropped by 4.1 mmol/mol more than the control group). This is important because high blood sugar is linked to inflammation throughout the body, which can worsen psoriasis. The study also measured inflammatory markers in the blood, though the full results on these weren’t detailed in the abstract. Body weight and other metabolic measures were tracked, showing the diet’s broader health benefits.

This is the first rigorous randomized controlled trial on this topic, so it’s groundbreaking research. Previous studies suggested that anti-inflammatory diets might help psoriasis, and we know the Mediterranean diet is excellent for heart health and reducing inflammation. This study confirms that these benefits extend to skin health in psoriasis patients. The findings align with what we know about psoriasis being an inflammatory condition that may respond to dietary changes.

The study was relatively small (only 38 people), which means results might not apply to everyone. It was conducted in Spain at a single clinic, so results may differ in other countries or populations. The control group knew they were eating a different diet than the intervention group, which could have affected their motivation or expectations. The study only lasted 16 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue long-term or if people can maintain the diet. Finally, all participants had mild to moderate psoriasis and were already using topical treatments, so results may not apply to people with severe psoriasis or those not using other treatments.

The Bottom Line

If you have mild to moderate psoriasis, consider adding a Mediterranean diet to your current treatment plan. This means eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and fish; using olive oil as your main fat; and limiting red meat and processed foods. Work with a nutritionist or dietitian if possible, as the study showed that professional guidance improved results. Continue using your current psoriasis treatments—this diet is meant to complement, not replace, medical care. Confidence level: Moderate (based on one well-designed study, but more research is needed).

This research is most relevant for adults with mild to moderate psoriasis who want to try dietary approaches alongside their current treatments. It may also interest people with psoriasis who have blood sugar concerns, since the diet improved that too. People with severe psoriasis should discuss this with their dermatologist, as the study didn’t test this group. Anyone with food allergies, severe dietary restrictions, or other health conditions should consult their doctor before making major diet changes.

In this study, improvements appeared over 16 weeks (about 4 months). Some people may see benefits sooner, while others might take longer. It typically takes several weeks for dietary changes to affect skin conditions, so patience is important. The best results came from people who stuck closely to the Mediterranean diet throughout the study period.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your psoriasis severity using photos and a simple 0-10 scale weekly, and log your Mediterranean diet adherence by recording servings of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil consumed daily. Compare your psoriasis score to your diet adherence to see if improvements correlate.
  • Start by adding one Mediterranean diet element per week: Week 1 add olive oil to meals, Week 2 add more vegetables, Week 3 add fish twice, Week 4 add whole grains. Use the app to set reminders for these changes and track which foods you eat. Take weekly photos of affected skin areas to monitor visible improvements.
  • Set up weekly check-ins to rate psoriasis severity, photograph affected areas, and review diet logs. Create a monthly summary comparing your psoriasis scores to your diet adherence percentage. Share this data with your dermatologist at appointments to track progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

This research suggests the Mediterranean diet may help improve psoriasis symptoms when combined with standard treatments, but it is not a substitute for medical care. Always consult with your dermatologist or healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if you take medications, have other health conditions, or have severe psoriasis. Results may vary based on individual factors, genetics, and disease severity. This study was conducted in Spain and may not apply equally to all populations. Do not stop or change your current psoriasis treatments without medical guidance.