This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
The Hidden Link Between Diet and Reproductive Health ¶
According to a study published in the Health Affairs journal on June 11, 2020, diet is inextricably linked to reproductive health. The study highlights the significant impact of nutrition on fertility, sex drive, and the risk of reproductive cancers.
From conception to puberty, the type of diet consumed can have a profound effect on our bodies. A healthy body weight and nutrition are essential for a couple's ability to conceive. In Kenya, the prevalence of male infertility has increased, with a study conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital reporting a rise from 7.6 percent in 2013 to 14.12 percent by 2018.
Scientists at Harvard University attribute the inability of men to father children to sugary and high-fat diets. Their findings underscore the importance of diet in fertility, with men who consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken having higher sperm counts compared to those who consume red meat, fried food, and sweetened beverages.
Adhering to a healthy diet can boost male fertility. It is advisable to adjust diets to include whole grains, nuts, seafood, poultry, fruits, and vegetables, which nourish the body with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that boost sperm production.
For women, adequate amounts of iron lower the risk of ovulatory infertility, according to The Nurses' Health Study II. A 'Fertility Diet' developed by Harvard researchers incorporates more monosaturated fat, vegetable protein, high-fiber foods, and multivitamins to support reproductive health.
Humans have long sought to identify the best foods for improving sex drive. In Kenya, groundnuts, pomegranate, horny goat weed, and eggplant are informally related to increased libido. While aphrodisiacs cannot be scientifically attributed to spontaneous and direct increases in sex drive, they may have a positive effect on blood circulation, metabolism, and sex drive.
Notably, nuts and seafood contain essential minerals for cell metabolism and stamina. Oysters, in particular, are rich in zinc, which has been found to help treat erectile dysfunction in people with kidney disease by regulating testosterone levels.
Research has also linked diet to the rising incidence of reproductive cancers in Kenya. A study by Dr. Geoffrey Maiyo reveals that diet has a considerable impact on the etiology of cancer, including those of the reproductive organs.
While genetics and carcinogens are primary causes of reproductive cancers, diet can increase the risk by interfering with hormone modulations and biomarkers. A plant-based diet has been shown to have a protective effect on the development of hormone-related cancers, with phytochemicals exhibiting anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.
