Snneha Lukaa
The food that you consume plays an important role when you are planning to make a baby. The food consumed by male partners too has a significant impact. Certain foods consumed by men can potentially increase the sperm count and quality, whereas few foods can lower the quality, causing substantial damage.
Sperm count is usually referred as an average of total number of sperm present in one sample of semen. As per a WHO guideline, sperm count is 15 million per milliliters (ml) or 39 millions per sample. Count lower than 10 millions per ml is considered abnormal and can cause male infertility.
Different makes of sperm health include:
Sperm motility i.e. its movement
Sperm volume i.e. minimum volume required carrying the sperm through the female egg.
Sperm morphology: Shape and size of the sperm
Sperm count: Sperm concentration per ejaculation
Foods that help in increasing the sperm count
Oranges: The high content of vitamin C in oranges helps in increasing sperm count, motility and morphology. Tomatoes, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, etc are high in vitamin C.
Pumpkin seeds and oysters: The high zinc content in these foods helps in increasing testosterone levels that further helps in increasing sperm count and motility.
Dark chocolates: The arginine content in the dark chocolates help in improving sperm quality over a period of time.
Asparagus: Packed with vitamin C, asparagus helps in fighting radicals that damage the sperm motility.
Pomegranate juice: The antioxidants in the juice help in improving testosterone levels.
Brazil nuts: Sperm shape, sperm motility is improved with the selenium content in Brazil nuts.
Water: Staying hydrated helps in increasing seminal fluid.
Bananas: This fruit has found to be increasing male libido. Sperm hormones are regulated due to the bromelain enzyme. Vitamin C, A and B1 content helps in boosting the body’s ability to produce the sperm.
Along with the above food, it is important that males establish a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy, staying stress-free, exercising and sleeping adequately.
Foods to avoid when trying to increase sperm count
Fried foods are hard to resist but can lead to a significant decrease in sperm quality
Full-fat dairy products containing estrogen can lower the health of the sperm. Instead, opting for soy or almond milk can help.
Processed meat: Meet sauce, mean, bacon and other processed meat products can lower the sperm count.
Alcohol: Consuming too much alcohol can lower the testosterone levels, affecting the sperm count.
Caffeine: Caffeine consumption by both men and women can cause infertility and also increase the chances of miscarriage.
Remember, low sperm count is not a disease, but can be a cause of infertility in men. Consuming healthy food, exercising and sleeping well can significantly improve the sperm count which can help you conceive easily.
text source: medicalnewstoday.com, heathline.com