How Food Choices Impact on Male Fertility

Abstract

Purpose of Review Increasing evidence on the significance of nutrition in reproduction is emerging from both animal and human studies, suggesting an association between nutrition and male fertility. Here, we have highlighted the impact of the various food groups on reproductive hormones and on spermatogenesis, and the effects of classical and latest dietary patterns such as Mediterranean diet, Western diet, intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, and vegan/vegetarian diet on male fertility. Recent Findings Nutrients are the precursors of molecules involved in various body’s reactions; therefore, their balance is essential to ensure the correct regulation of different systems including the endocrine system. Hormones are strongly influenced by the nutritional status of the individual, and their alteration can lead to dysfunctions or diseases like infertility. In addition, nutrients affect sperm production and spermatogenesis, controlling sexual development, and maintaining secondary sexual characteristics and behaviors. Summary The consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, processed meats, dairy products, sugars, alcohol, and caffeine importantly impact on male fertility. Among dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet and the Western diet are most strongly associated with the quality of semen. Nutrients, dietary patterns, and hormonal levels have an impact on male infertility. Therefore, understanding how these factors interact with each other is important for strategies to improve male fertility.

Dietary Habits and Race Day Strategies among Flexitarian, Vegetarian, and Vegan Recreational Endurance Runners: A Cross-Sectional Investigation from The NURMI Study (Step 2)

“…Likewise, the vegans displayed the most fundamentally healthy dietary behavior considering the consumption of whole plant foods, including legumes, nuts, and pulses, and fruit and vegetables, with significant differences across the subgroups (p < 0.05). This finding is consistent with the level of plant protein intake reported by the vegan subgroup, which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and even male infertility when substituting for many varieties of animal protein sources [36,69,70]. Interestingly, it was found that the vegans (e.g., the people consuming only plant-based foods) had the highest protein intake overall, with a significant difference across the diet types.…”

“…According to the com-b model, however, a person’s capabilities and opportunities may also, in turn, reflect dietary behavior [ 92 ]. Given the strong societal foundation that is visible around the world concerning the belief that meat consumption is necessary for reproductivity and survival, strength, or even evolution [ 30 , 36 , 37 , 71 , 82 ], when a person refuses to consume meat, interpersonal disputes typically arise due to the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance (e.g., when two or more personal values conflict) [ 93 ]. Such interpersonal communication arising from the personal choice not to eat has been so powerful it has effectively been used to stop mass violence, for example [ 94 ].…”

“…Among athletes, however, there is still a general lack of evidence regarding the special strategies necessary for people following more plant-based diets when safely and effectively competing in sports [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The male athlete competing in sports is renowned for meat and protein consumption [ 30 , 33 ] and domination across all life aspects, which has been considered synonymous with masculinity and even sexual potency [ 34 , 35 , 36 ] until the realization of sound scientific evidence available today [ 37 ]. Still, among underinformed sports nutrition experts, the answer to the question “Where do plant-based (especially vegan) athletes get their protein?” remains elusive [ 38 ].…”