Researchers at the University of Murcia in collaboration with Harvard University have found that a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, fruits, vegetables and cereals increases the rate of motile sperm.

The study presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine held in Orlando (USA) aimed to study the correlation between dietary habits and parameters in healthy young semen.

The study of food habits of 188 young men were classified as «mediterranean« or «western« (high in red meat, processed meats, pizza, snacks, candy and energy drinks). Were adjusted for potential confounders such as smoking, total caloric intake, abstinence time, body mass index (BMI) and level of physical exercise and the result was that the «western» diet were associated with reduced movement. While diet «mediterranean» does not seem related to the shape or number of sperm motility was affected if.

Currently the study is replicated in the Region of Murcia.

Previous studies associated intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins with the best semen quality. The hypothesis is that antioxidants contained in such foods could help improve, or at least preserve, the sperm quality, mainly avoiding oxidative stress processes.

Read the full story in La Verdad