What Are Foods to Increase Sperm Count?

Did you know nearly 4 million men seek help for fertility issues annually? When it comes to men’s health, fertility is usually not the first topic that comes to mind. In fact, sperm health is usually one of the last things on most men’s minds. However, doctors are frequently consulted by couples regarding possible infertility issues and factors that may be interfering with their fertility potential.

There are many suspected causes of male infertility, which include environmental and lifestyle factors. Research suggests that your diet can also play a role in sperm quality and concentration. According to an article on dietary food patterns, diet affects the basic functioning of the reproductive system in men. So, what type of foods should you be eating?

If your goal is to improve your sperm count, consider eating a healthy diet that focuses on fruits and vegetables. According to a study, an abundance in these food groups are not only likely to reduce risk of some chronic diseases, but are also connected to better semen quality. Fruits and vegetables are considered rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E. On a cellular level, these vitamins help promote sperm motility, which is the sperms ability to move and attach to the egg. Many foods such as sweet peppers, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, broccoli, nuts and seeds all contain vitamin C and E. Folate is a B vitamin that is also common in fruits and vegetables and is essential for the creation of sperm. Folate can be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, brussels sprouts, asparagus, enriched flour products, and fruits like oranges.

As important as it is to know the foods that increase sperm count, it is equally important to know the foods that may decrease men’s sperm health. When you start to incorporate other dietary patterns that are high in fats, red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets and sweetened beverages, they become associated with poorer semen quality. However, these foods are not known to necessarily cause infertility.

What we eat can be the culprit for many health problems. Several pieces of literature on nutrition and its relationship to improving sperm quality do not show a direct cause and effect. However, it does show some type of association between nutrition and sperm count. Healthy sperm is an important factor in male fertility. So when you’re ready to plan your family, you can start by planning your plate.