Researchers at the universities of
Manchester and Sheffield found that smoking cannabis can have a
severe effect on male fertility, yet other lifestyle choices such
as drinking alcohol and wearing tight briefs were not considered
to cause problems, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.
Sperm quality has been in decline for decades, and scientists are
unsure as to the exact causes. Last month a report published by
Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, following analysis of 12 studies
conducted by different groups around the world, found that
consumption of lycopene improved the quality, mobility, and volume
of sperm dramatically, increasing sperm count by up to 70 per
cent. Lycopene is an essential nutrient found commonly in red
fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, and
peppers.
A 2009 Spanish study by the Andalusian Center of Sports Medicine
and the University of Las Palmas found that a prolonged spell on
your bike can severely affect the shape and quality of sperm.
After monitoring 15 Spanish triathletes with an average age of 33
the study found that "those that systematically cycled 300
kilometers a week, had a fertility problem."
In 2003, researchers from Sao Paolo University in Brazil studied
750 men and concluded that drinking coffee can improve the
swimming speed of human sperm, although whether this means
pregnancy rates are higher among coffee drinkers is unclear.
In 2012, a research team at the University of California published
the results of a study which showed that men who consumed 75g of
walnuts each day experienced a marked improvement in sperm
vitality, motility and morphology.
Their conclusion was that there is a direct link between an
increase in the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (which
exist at high levels in nuts) and an improvement in sperm quality
among healthy men eating a western diet.
Like walnuts, almonds are rich with arginine, an amino acid that
has been shown to increase sperm production. Peanuts contain high
levels of zinc, which is also associated with an increase in sperm
count and motility.
