Consumption of foods with a high glycemic index, such as certain types of carbohydrates, is associated with a lower sperm count and decreased sperm motility, which negatively affects male reproductive health.
Infertility, which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, affects many couples around the world. It is estimated that between 40% and 50% of infertility cases are due to male factors, especially semen quality, which can be influenced by various environmental and lifestyle causes, including diet. For example, it has been observed that a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits and fish could be associated with better semen quality, while saturated fats, red meat or alcohol could have negative effects.
A study carried out by the Nutrition and Metabolic Health (NuMeH) research groups and the Centre for Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox) of the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) and the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) has highlighted the relevance of the quality of carbohydrates in the diet for male reproductive health. This research, led by Mònica Bulló, head of the NuMeH group at the IISPV and professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, as well as an ICREA researcher at the URV, has been published in the World Journal of Men’s Health.
The study highlights that although more than 50% of dietary energy comes from carbohydrates, little is known about how carbohydrate quality affects reproductive health. In this context, the research examined the relationship between dietary glycemic index and glycemic load, two key indicators of carbohydrate quality, and several semen quality parameters in 106 healthy men aged 18–35 years.
Following a balanced, high-quality diet such as the Mediterranean diet, which includes vegetables, legumes, fruits and fish, helps improve semen quality and male fertility.
The results showed that eating foods with a high glycemic index, which indicates how quickly a food raises blood glucose levels, was associated with lower sperm counts and decreased sperm motility. This suggests that eating foods such as refined flours, snacks, sugary drinks and sweets could be linked to poorer semen quality.
The research highlights the need to consider carbohydrate quality not only for its general metabolic effects, but also for its impact on male reproductive health. The results underline the importance of following a balanced, high-quality diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which promotes the consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruits and fish to improve semen quality and, consequently, male fertility.
Sources: Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) and Rovira i Virgili University
