Nut Consumption Could Improve Sperm Quality

The regular consumption of nuts is associated with improved sperm quality and function, according to the results of a recent study.

Factors including pollution and a western-style diet are hypothesized to impact semen quality, and recent research has suggested that diets high in omega-3, antioxidants, carnitines, and folate could help to improve semen quality.

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In order to determine whether nuts, when added to a western-style diet, could help to improve semen quality, researchers conducted a 14-week randomized, controlled, parallel 2-group trial including 119 healthy men aged 18 to 35 years. The men were randomized to either their usual diet supplemented with 60 g/day of mixed almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts, or to follow their usual diet without nuts.

Sperm and blood samples were collected at baseline and at 14 weeks, and dietary information was recorded in 4 separate visits during the trial.

Overall, 98 participants completed the study. The researchers observed an improvement of sperm count, vitality, total motility, progressive motility, and morphology among participants in the nut group, compared with those in the non-nut group. Sperm DNA fragmentation was also significantly reduced in men in the nut group. No changes were observed in ROS, sperm chromosome anomalies, and DNA methylation.

“Including nuts in a regular diet significantly improved the sperm count, vitality, motility, and morphology, partly explained by a reduction of the DNA fragmentation,” the researchers concluded.

“Additional efforts to identify male-specific dietary recommendations that optimize sperm quality and fertility should be encouraged.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Salas-Huetos A, Moraleda R, Giardina S, et al. Effect of nut consumption on semen quality and functionality in healthy males: a randomized controlled trial [presented at the 24^th Annual Meeting of ESHRE]. July 4, 2018. Reus, Spain. Abstract o-238.