Male fertility has taken a hit over the years. In fact, sperm counts among men worldwide have declined by more than 59%. There are many factors that affect men’s sexual health problems, which is why it’s hard to pin down the reason for it. Yet, with that being said, there is one thing that has had a significant impact on male fertility: nutrition.
What people fail to realise is that what they consume daily has a profound effect on their health. Because of this, there are certain things that you’ll definitely want to avoid as they could be harmful when it comes to preserving male fertility. If you want to know more about this, read on as we list down what you’ll have to avoid to help preserve sperm health:
Processed Meat
For many years, there have been a slew of illnesses linked to processed meat. This is problematic due to how popular these food items are. However, keep in mind that eating an unhealthy amount of hot dogs, salami, and bacon significantly puts one’s health at risk.
So, how does this affect fertility? Several studies have linked eating processed meat to decreased sperm counts. Conversely, diets that are composed of healthier meat such as fish and chicken have been observed to result in higher sperm counts.
Soy Products
Soy products have constantly been touted as a healthy option and a good source of protein. And while this is true, it still comes with a few significant drawbacks. What you have to understand about soy products is that they contain phytoestrogens––this is an estrogen-like compound that’s found in plants.
A study conducted by fertility clinics has observed that excessive soy intake could potentially lead to lower sperm concentration. The keyword here is excessive. We’re not saying that you should completely remove soy from your diet, but regulating it may just improve your sperm health!
Trans Fat
While trans fat is usually associated with cardiovascular disease, it has other repercussions that affect men outside of their heart health. Consuming high amounts of trans fat has been observed to lower testosterone levels by at least 15%. And since testosterone levels are tied to sperm production, it would be best to regulate your trans fat consumption.
High Fat Dairy Products
High-fat dairy products have also proved to be harmful to sperm health. A study published by Harvard has found that men who ingest full-fat milk had an overall lower sperm count. As such, does this mean you shouldn’t be drinking milk? Luckily, there are low-fat alternatives that don’t pose a risk to your sperm health. If you’re experiencing problems with male fertility, then opting for the low-fat option might be something that you want to consider.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be helpful for those of you who are suffering from male fertility issues. Remember, a low sperm count isn’t the end of the world. There are still small things that you can do to put yourself in the best position to improve your sperm health!
If you’re looking for a reliable doctor in your area, Men’s Health Clinic is a leading provider of completely customized and managed solutions for the treatment of men’s sexual health issues. Contact us today to speak with an expert so that we can start talking about the best options for your treatment!
Resources:
- Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Sadio SM, Hauser R. Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic. Hum Reprod. 2008 Nov;23(11):2584-90. doi: 10.1093/humrep/den243. Epub 2008 Jul 23. PMID: 18650557; PMCID: PMC2721724.
- Hauck, G., 2021. Add falling sperm counts to the list of threats to human survival, epidemiologist warns. [online] Usatoday.com. Available at: <https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/02/27/falling-sperm-counts-threaten-humanity-chemicals-blame-book-says/6842950002/>.
