Waiting to have kids? Make sure your diet’s up to par. A healthy intake of micronutrients—including vitamin C, E, folate, and zinc—can boost sperm DNA quality in older men, according to a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
Researchers had 80 men ages 20 to 80 estimate their average daily vitamin intake, then took semen samples to analyze the men’s DNA.
The results: The more antioxidants and micronutrients a guy’s diet had, the smaller the risk for sperm with DNA damage, especially in older men. In fact, men ages 44 and older who ate the most vitamin C had 20 percent less damage compared to men of the same age who consumed very little vitamin C.
That’s positive news for older men who still want to have kids, since you need healthy DNA for genetically normal children, says study author Andy Wyrobek, Ph.D., senior staff scientist with Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division.
Want to ensure stronger swimmers, no matter your age? Incorporate these three nutritional gold mines into your diet to keep your semen in tip-top shape. (And if you’re still hungry for more sex-savvy foods and secrets, pick up a copy of The Men’s Health Big Book of Sex for hundreds of ways to upgrade your sex life.)
Fatty Fish
Men who eat more omega-3 fatty acids have higher-quality semen than those who skimp on omega-3s, according to a study in Human Reproduction. And even though the researchers say this may be merely a correlation, omega-3s are still loaded with other sex-boosting benefits. The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA found in fish help to raise dopamine levels in the brain that trigger arousal, according to sexologist Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D. Your move? Add oily coldwater fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna to your weekly meal lineup.
Walnuts
Eating just 75 grams of walnuts a day—roughly a handful—can improve the quality of your semen, says a study published in Biology of Reproduction. Researchers monitored the diets of 117 healthy men, asking half to incorporate 75 grams of walnuts into their diets. After 3 months, guys who ate walnuts saw an improvement in the shape of their sperm, as well as the movement and vitality of their swimmers. Why? Researchers believe the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—a natural plant source of omega-3—in walnuts may be behind the sperm’s extra boost. (Walnuts aren’t the only convenient snack that will strengthen your sperm. Check out these 12 other Super Sex Foods.)
Oysters
Besides being the ultimate aphrodisiac, the zinc in oysters can work wonders for your semen. In a study in Fertility and Sterility, sub-fertile men who took zinc sulfates daily saw a 74 percent increase in total normal sperm count after 26 weeks, compared to men who were treated with placebos. Your move: Pop six oysters a day to double the daily recommendation of 15 milligrams of zinc. Other good sources of zinc are shrimp, red meat, pumpkin seeds, poultry and pork, eggs, and dairy products.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
COCOBOD trains technical staff in soilless technology
18 mins -
Barker-Vormawor urges GRA, OSP to probe Rev. Kusi Boateng on money laundering grounds
25 mins -
Election 2024: Ghana Mineworkers’ Union calls for transparent, peaceful electoral process
30 mins -
Entrepreneurship with Bola Ray winners walk away with GHC20k & phone
31 mins -
Pass new Labour Bill before leaving office – Ghana Mineworkers’ Union to Akufo-Addo
33 mins -
I like Mahama; give him another chance – Nigerian actor RMD
37 mins -
We need immediate dissolution of National Cathedral Secretariat – Ablakwa
38 mins -
Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans honoured at maiden AGI Ghana Industry and Quality Awards
55 mins -
PMMC puts Ghana’s gold on top of Africa and the world
58 mins -
Bawumia pledges to complete Agenda 111 in first year if elected
1 hour -
NDC V/R campaign logistics member rallies Keta residents for unity and progress
1 hour -
NDC V/R Campaign Logistic Committee member calls for support for party’s vision
2 hours -
Open burning of waste in Ghana’s cities polluting the air – Deputy Danish Ambassador
2 hours -
Drake takes legal action over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
2 hours -
Two arrested over human skull, sentenced to 13 years
2 hours