Many people have always believed that prenatal and postnatal care is solely the mother's responsibility, but in fact, good genetics are also closely related to the father. Diet, in particular, can play a significant role in promoting healthy offspring. Before trying to conceive, a male partner can improve the quality of his sperm simply through a proper diet. The quality of the sperm directly affects the health of the child. Can an improper diet lead to male infertility?
An improper diet can lead to male infertility.
First, fertility is closely linked to nutritional factors; both deficiency and excess of nutrients can lead to male infertility. When malnourished, deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and trace elements like zinc and selenium can result in reduced sperm production and decreased motility.
Animal experiments have also shown that malnutrition can reduce the seminal fluid volume and the fructose content in the semen, which provides energy for sperm motility. Excessive nutrition during adolescence often leads to obesity. The accumulation of fat can impair or diminish the function of the pituitary gland, leading to a lack or reduction in the release of male hormones. This can result in conditions such as small testicles, a small penis, a lack of secondary sexual characteristics, and feminization, which can very likely lead to infertility in adulthood.
Secondly, long-term consumption of certain foods containing preservatives like nitrites, colorings like sulfonamides, and crude cottonseed oil can also lead to a decrease in sperm count and quality.
Soybeans are a "killer" of sperm. A recent scientific study indicates that certain components in soybeans can cause a decrease in sperm count, thereby affecting male reproductive function. Soy milk and soy yogurt, which are widely recommended by many, have also become foods that can kill sperm.