Food-and-fertility

Food and fertility

Beliefs about the powers of so-called ‘fertility foods’ date back to early civilisations. Unfortunately, most are pure fiction. Many are based on the simplistic notion that eating foods that look like sexual organs, such as eggs or figs, can help your sexual organs work better. Others claim that eating spicy foods can increase sexual potency by raising your blood pressure and pulse rate. There is no scientific proof that eating camel’s hump, shark’s fin, ginseng or chilli peppers can help increase your fertility.

A diet low in zinc can reduce fertility in both men and women. Oysters are packed with zinc, but you don´t have to eat a dozen oysters every day to be fertile. Eating a variety of foods rich in zinc, like seafood (oysters, mussels, prawns), red meat, legumes (baked beans, lentils, kidney beans), chicken, cheese, yogurt and eggs may help keep your reproductive system working properly.

Several other vitamins are important for fertility. There is evidence to show that vitamins B₁₂, C and E play a role in improving sperm quality in men. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as lean meat, fish and nuts will ensure you get plenty of these vitamins every day.

A varied and well balanced diet, rather than any specific food, will help improve your chances of conceiving a baby. To maximise your potential to conceive, it is important to:

Maintain a healthy weight – strict dieting and a severe drop in weight can affect ovulation in women or sperm production in men. On the other hand, being obese may also affect fertility.
Enjoy a variety of foods from the core food groups every day including fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain breads, cereals, legumes, lean meats, poultry, fish and reduced fat dairy products.
Include a variety of foods that are naturally high in zinc like lean red meats and seafood.
Eat a variety of foods rich in folate. A folic acid supplement (0.5mg daily) is also encouraged one month before conception and during the first three months of pregnancy.
Limit your intake of alcohol – even small amounts of alcohol can interfere with fertility.
Watch your intake of caffeinated beverages – too much caffeine can decrease fertility in women. However, for men, drinking a cup of coffee before making love can cause sperm to become more active. Slow sperm is one of the main causes of infertility in men.
Refrain from smoking. Tobacco smoke and recreational drugs can harm your unborn child.

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