HealthDay reports two presentations “at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting” suggesting that there is a link “between nutrition and semen quality.”
One study showed that that “diets rich in red meat and processed grains seem to impair the ability of sperm to move about,” while “a healthy diet composed of a higher intake of fish, fresh fruit, whole grains, legumes and vegetables seems to improve sperm motility.” However, “diet seemed to have no impact on either sperm shape or number.”
That said, a second study suggested that “men who eat diets that contain a relatively high amount of trans fat had lower sperm concentration levels.”
MedPage Today reports that Edward D. Kim, MD, president of the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, commenting on the study on the impact of trans fat on sperm, said that “the number of patients in the study – the researchers analyzed semen from 23 men – was a limitation. ‘There is great variability in sperm concentrations even from day to day,’ he said. ‘Clearly, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.'”
Note that these studies were published as abstracts and were presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Nevertheless, if you, or someone you know, if having trouble conceiving, improving the dad-to-be’s diet may not only help his sperm, but will help him become more highly healthy overall.