Medical memo: Nutrition and fertility
You are what you eat.
It's an oversimplification, but it has more than a germ of truth. In fact, a man's diet has a substantial effect on his risk of many important diseases including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, various malignancies, and of course, obesity. But does a man's diet also influence his fertility? According to research from Spain, the answer may be yes.
To evaluate the effect of diet on fertility, scientists studied the male partners of couples who attended fertility clinics. Men with known genetic, anatomical, or hormonal abnormalities that affect fertility were excluded from the study. Each volunteer submitted at least two semen specimens for analysis, and each provided information on his consumption of 96 food items during the preceding year. Researchers also measured levels of reproductive hormones and collected information about other factors that might affect sperm quality, including smoking, body weight, alcohol use, and exposure to pollutants.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.