This is what all wannabe dads should be EATING to boost their sperm quality
MAKING sure your sperm is healthy starts with eating the right foods, experts have found.
And it is bad news for men who love to chow down on processed meats and cheese with a side of beer.
Infertility is a common problem across the UK, affecting about one in seven couples.
That equates to about 3.5 million people in the country who cannot get pregnant despite having regular, unprotected sex.
Many fertility clinics will suggest that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and drinking less alcohol, can boost a couples chances of having a baby.
But until now there has been no scientific evidence to support the role of a healthy diet in sperm quality.
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Scientists in Spain have reviewed all studies on sperm quality and the ability for couples to become pregnant and the relationship with food.
They discovered that fish, shellfish, seafood, poultry, cereals, vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy and skimmed milk, like the Med diet, helped boosts the quality of a man's swimmers.
That's because they are rich in good nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D and folate - which are all associated with boosting the body's overall healthy.
They are also low in fatty acids and trans-fatty acids, which are linked to obesity and obesity related health problems.
But if you love a good steak, indulge in too much cheese or can't survive without caffeine, then your sperm is going to suffer.
Diets rich in processed meat, soy foods, potatoes, full-fat dairy, cheese, coffee, alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets have been associated with lower-quality sperm in some studies.
Men who have a high intake of alcohol, caffeine, red meat and processed meat will have more trouble getting their partner pregnant.
So the long and the short of it is, if you want to have a baby it is not just the woman who needs to look after her overall health - men have to overhaul their lifestyle too.
And it s not just sperm that will benefit from the diet makeover.
The foods recommended have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia.
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