Everything that happens to your sperm when you eat fast food

We all know that fast food should be eaten in moderation, but could it be having an impact on your reproductive health as well as your waistline? Well, according to a new study, ultra-processed foods – that’s everything from hot dogs and french fries to fast food burgers and chicken nuggets – may be linked to a decline in sperm quality.

The research, which was published last month in Cell Metabolism, not only highlighted that consuming ultra-processed foods, such as fast food, can raise cholesterol levels and fat mass, but 'sperm quality trended toward impairment' on such a diet.

So, if you are thinking about having children anytime soon or want to maintain a healthy sperm count, here’s what you need to know.

What effects can a fast food diet have on sperm quality?

As part of the study, researchers recruited 43 males aged between 20 and 35, with each individual spending three weeks primarily eating ultra-processed foods, and another three weeks eating a diet of unprocessed foods, with a 3-month 'washing out' period between the two.

Regularly eating these types of food can have an impact on sperm quality, says new research (Ed Reschke/Getty Images)

And half the participants began on the unprocessed diet while the others started with the ultra-processed food. It’s also worth noting that half of the men from each group were also put on a diet that included 500 extra calories per day. And during the test, researchers noted that those on the fast food-style diet experienced an increase in a substance called phthalate cxMINP, which is found in plastics that can disrupt hormones.

As we know, a lot of ultra-processed foods are wrapped or stored in plastic packaging, which could be the reason for this. The results also fall in line with the worldwide reduction in sperm count ever since these types of foods were first introduced back in the 1970s.

Kristin Kirkpatrick, president of KAK Consulting and a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine, admitted to Healthline: “The study found that endocrine disrupters and other components altered hormone levels in men, even if the men were healthy.

“This means, even if you’re healthy based on other parameters, yet consume a diet higher in ultra-processed foods, you still are at risk for increases in chronic conditions.”

For those looking to have children, eating high quantities of these types of food should be avoided (Cavan Images/Getty Images)

The same individuals saw a decrease in their testosterone levels and follicle-stimulating hormones, which are necessary for sperm production.

Other health issues can also affect the male reproductive system, namely weight gain, conditions like type 2 diabetes and even higher than average cholesterol levels.

As their diet only lasted for three weeks, 'a cycle of sperm production typically takes between two to three months,' says Michael Eisenberg, MD, a professor of urology at Stanford University. So, it may not show the whole story. Nonetheless, it is something to consider.

Tips to improve male reproductive health more generally

While we all probably grab the odd item of convenience, whether that’s fast food or ultra-processed snack, 'in general, good diet (whole grains, fruits, vegetables), exercise, and maintaining a good body weight will help overall and reproductive health,' Eisenberg proposes.

Tobacco and alcohol should also be avoided, especially for those in the process of trying to have children, with regular exercise, an adequate amount of sleep and good stress management all being beneficial.

And according to Philip Werthman, MD, a urologist and director of the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Vasectomy Reversal in Los Angeles, heat sources such as saunas and hot tubs can also have an impact, albeit a more temporary one, on sperm quality and quantity.

“All these things affect the reproductive system,” he added. “The body is an integrated system.”