Did you know that there are superfoods that support and build men’s fertility health?
Listed below are 5 superfoods and why they should be added to your diet.
Walnuts
Walnuts are a dietary source of omega-3 fats and melatonin. While melatonin is more commonly known as the hormone that controls our sleep pattern, it also acts as a powerful antioxidant in our bodies. In its role as an antioxidant melatonin protects male reproductive function. In one clinical trial around 60 men ate 75g of walnuts daily for 12 weeks and experienced improvement in sperm motility and morphology.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes get their bright red colour from a compound called lycopene and the more you cook tomatoes the more lycopene they contain. We know that lycopene plays a key role in improving male reproductive health. Males consuming 4-8mg of lycopene daily for at least 3 months have seen reduced sperm DNA damage and increased sperm count and quality. You don’t need to spend money on an expensive lycopene supplement because 1 tablespoon of plain tomato puree provides around 4mg of lycopene. So top a cracker or a piece of toast with a tablespoon of tomato puree and a drizzle of olive oil as a snack, or part of breakfast, and you will experience all the powerful health benefits of this nutrient.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Mushrooms are packed full of an important antioxidant called glutathione. Glutathione has been shown to protect and maintain sperm health in numerous clinical trials and, importantly, glutathione can protect and preserve sperm health during assisted conception processes. So increasing dietary glutathione is essential for male reproductive health. All mushrooms contain some glutathione but shiitake mushrooms contain particularly high concentrations. Add them to stir fries or try mushrooms on toast as a quick supper.
Watermelon
Watermelon is an alternative source of lycopene if you aren’t a fan of tomatoes, while also providing another nutrient that is key for male reproductive health, the amino acid l-citrulline. L-citrulline is known as ‘Nature’s Viagra’ because it helps to relax and dilate blood vessels and, therefore, it promotes blood flow and proper male sexual function. Add watermelon to savoury dishes such as salads or salsas and dress with olive oil to enhance absorption of these key nutrients.
Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is no longer considered a guilty pleasure, in fact dark chocolate is packed full of a number of nutrients that we know play a key role in men’s fertility. Dark chocolate is a rich source of zinc, a mineral that is essential for testosterone production and sperm quality. Chocolate also contains the amino acid l-arginine that promotes good sperm motility. So opt for dark chocolate (at least 75% cocoa) instead of milk chocolate – why not try combining a handful of walnuts and a few squares of dark chocolate for a balanced snack.
We hope that this blog was helpful to you. To get a PDF version of this blog, click below
