Can your Diet affect your Fertility?

It's what Harvard researchers investigated through the review of 172 scientific papers. They have found that yes, what you eat and specifically the nutrients you put inside your body can influence the fertilization, pregnancy and birth.

And sir, do not run away! This text is also for you!

So what's the evidence so far?

It is known that for both men and women a balanced diet, rich in macro and micronutrients, considered healthy, has more relations with higher fertility and birth rate of living babies in assisted reproduction;

Antioxidant supplements do not make much difference in increasing fertility in both sexes;

Supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 suggests increasing fertility and birth rates in assisted reproduction;

Vitamin D had no change in fertility outcomes in women;

Fats: in both men and women the excess of trans and saturated fat indicated reduced fertility. In men, mainly, there was a reduction of the testicular function and lower semen quality. In women, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids appear to improve fertility, although it remains unclear to what extent contamination of food sources with high levels of toxic substances may decrease this benefit;

Dairy products are not designated as causes of infertility;

Soy does not appear to aid in natural fertilization, but isoflavone consumption may increase rates of live births in assisted reproduction;

Alcohol does not seem to influence the quality of semen or fertilization alone - look at the fertilization rates at the carnival and you will see that it goes according to the results of the research...

Read more in:

Gaskins AJ, Chavarro JE, Diet and Fertility: A Review, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2017), doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.010.