How a Man's Diet Impacts His Quality of Sperm

There are many things that can impact the quality of a man's sperm such as zinc deficiency, alcohol consumption, and simple sugars. All of these seem to have a negative influence in it. Continue reading to find out how a man can improve his diet to increase his fertility.

Written and verified by the nutritionist Saúl Sánchez Arias.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Fertility is directly related to diet and lifestyle. The consumption of toxins, alcohol, and an inadequate diet can all influence the quality of a man’s sperm, and therefore, his reproductive success.

To avoid this situation men should maintain healthy eating guidelines, emphasizing the consumption of fish and vegetables. At the same time, they must reduce the intake of ultra-processed food and increase physical activity.

Alcohol lowers the quality of sperm

This substance has a negative impact on the body. It increases the risk of developing complex diseases in the medium and long term in addition to inducing a temporary cognitive deterioration.

Thus, drinking alcohol on a regular basis worsens your state of health. Additionally, according to research published in the Reproductive Biomedicine Online journal, regular alcohol intake decreases the sperm count.

You must take into account that a minimum number of sperm must reach the female reproductive system for fertilization to occur. If the sperm is low then there’s also a lower amount of cells available from fertilization. Thus, the odds of reproductive success decrease.

Micronutrients affect sperm motility

A deficit in the contribution of micronutrients leads to the appearance of pathologies in the medium or long term. A typical example is an anemia caused by a lack of iron, and sperm deteriorates without an adequate intake of these nutrients.

Specifically, the quality, the volume of the semen, and the mobility of the spermatozoa it contains are directly linked to the dietary intake of zinc. Having low levels of this micronutrient affects sperm production and its quality, and can trigger an infertility problem. At least according to research published in the International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine.

Sugar jeopardizes the quality of semen

Simple and added sugar are common in modern diets. This substance can increase the risk of developing metabolic diseases. Similarly, it promotes obesity, especially when consumed by people with a sedentary lifestyle.

In addition, the consumption of simple sugars is related to a reduction in sperm count and quality. This situation conditions reproductive success and can lead to temporary infertility.

Fortunately, improving dietary habits in terms of reducing the consumption of simple sugars can restore the normal sperm count. However, a poor diet doesn’t only lead to a lower percentage of success when conceiving. In fact, newer research associates poor parental nutrition with poorer offspring health.

Take care of your diet to improve the quality of your sperm

Lifestyle habits impact both the volume and the quality of the sperm. Thus, diet and regular physical activity can greatly influence the chances of conceiving.

This is because some types of food and toxic substances can reduce the sperm count and their mobility, making the fertilization process difficult. This is the case of alcohol and simple sugars.

Similarly, micronutrient deficiencies are associated with lower motility and sperm quality in semen. Zinc is the most representative of them all. In fact, some infertility processes are associated with low levels of this substance, so supplementation could be an effective solution.

Finally, keep in mind that a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and fish, especially when you’re trying to conceive a child, is the foundation of this process. It’s the best way to improve your chances of success. At the same time, you’ll positively condition the health of your descendants. This is because the parents’ diet has an effect on the risk of illness in their offspring.