When we talk about infertility, many of us think that the issue lies with the woman. But the fact is, men have an equally important part to play. Up to a fifth of men have a low sperm count, which is defined as having roughly less than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Plus, 1 in 6 couples will experience difficulty becoming pregnant, with low sperm count being the cause in about 20% of those cases.
So it’s time for men to step up, and one of the best ways to boost male fertility is through diet. Sperm can be damaged through oxidative stress, caused by free radicals. Semen contains antioxidants, but their potency can be weakened by a poor diet. Below, you’ll find 5 foods that are rich in antioxidants and will boost sperm quality.
- Tomatoes are naturally high in the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is great for sperm structure, activity, and motility, which is the sperm’s ability to swim. It’s found more often in cooked or processed tomatoes, so add olive oil for a real boost.
- Walnuts are bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids. By eating a handful daily, sperm quality will go up. They’ll add flavor to salads, and they’re a terrific mid-afternoon snack.
- Grab yourself some pumpkin seeds, since they’re high in zinc, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals.
- Lentils are easily one of the richest sources of folate, or natural folic acid, an important aspect of both male and female fertility.
- Not only are blueberries delicious, they’re also packed with anti-inflammatory antioxidants.