Breaking News: Fast Food Lowers Sperm Count

Attention all men! A recent Harvard study concluded that eating junk food can affect fertility by wrecking your sperm count. Yikes.

The Science Behind Fast Food and Sperm Count

During a compulsory medical examination for aspiring soldiers in Denmark, Harvard researchers separated 2,935 young men into groups based on their dietary patterns. Those who followed “western” diets heavy on sugar, fat, and processed foods — including candy, pizza, fries, burgers, and energy drinks — were in one group. Results showed that this group of men have lower sperm count and lesser indicators of healthy sperm function in comparison to the “prudent” diet group. The latter comprised men who ate lean meats such as fish and chicken combined with fruits and vegetables.

Is the damage permanent? Dr. Bobby Najari, a urologist at NYU Langone Health, doesn’t think so. “My impression of the study is that it’s a single snapshot in time,” he mentioned in an interview with Men’s Health. “This isn’t a longitudinal study where things are checked over and over again. I wouldn’t say that it’s irreversible.”

Whether the damage is permanent remains uncertain. However, it may be vital to get ahead of the issue and decide to eat better from now on.

Healthy Junk Food Options for Improved Sperm Health

Because turning away from your daily delicious snacks can be challenging, we compiled a list of healthier alternatives for you.

Instead of glazed doughnuts and deep-fried potatoes, indulge your sweet tooth and salty cravings with:

• Dark chocolate. Did that make you smile? Thankfully, you can still enjoy the decadent taste of chocolate as long as it has higher amounts of cacao than milk. Dark chocolate contains fiber and protein, along with a dose of antioxidants mixed in. Plus, it’s high in sperm count-boosting nutrients, says Medical News Today.

• Walnuts. In a 2012 study, researchers assigned a group of men to eat 18 walnuts daily for 12 weeks. The researchers examined sperm parameters before and after the study period and found significant improvements in sperm vitality.

• Green juice. Everyone loves smoothies. While they do have nutritional benefits, these sugary beverages can also send calorie counts through the roof. Green juice (a blend of fruits and vegetables) is a healthy alternative that puts less stress on your waistline and provides easy-to-absorb nutrients. Further, a study analyzing the sperm of 250 men showed that males who ate more fruits and veggies had higher sperm concentrations.

• Popcorn. Can you imagine watching a movie without popcorn? Neither can we. The good news is, you can still snack on popcorn. Air-popped with no oil provides the best health benefits, such as enhancing sexual performance and sperm count. Try to avoid the microwavable kind or the ones loaded with butter and artificial flavoring.

• Tortilla chips. With popular chip brands going healthy, coming across delicious whole-grain options at your local grocery store won’t be mission impossible. Corn in whole-grain tortilla chips has a low glycemic index, which prevents your blood sugar from spiking. Also, whole wheat is abundant in sperm-boosting nutrients.

Give in to Cravings Once in a While

These healthy junk food alternatives are a great way to start beating those fast food cravings and maybe help keep your sperm count up. After all, no one wants to lose the ability to have children in the future.