Study Shows Processed Meats Impair Male Fertility

The findings of an analysis of sperm samples of 156 men who were involved in an in vitro fertilization program were recently presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s 2013 Annual Meeting in Boston. The results showed that men who consumed at least half a portion of processed meat per day had 5.5 percent “normal sperm” and those who consumed less than half a portion per day had 7.2 percent “normal sperm.” While some health professional expressed doubts as to whether certain foods can harm sperm quality, many agree that a diet rich with plant-based foods is beneficial for fertility. “There is certainly now convincing evidence that men who eat more fresh fruit and vegetables have better sperm than men who don’t,” said Dr. Allan Pacey, chairman of the British Fertility Society.