Walnuts & Male Fertility

Several studies over the years have concluded that walnuts have quite a lengthy list of health benefits. Not only are walnuts packed with heart-healthy antioxidants, evidence has shown that walnuts can slow the growth of prostate tumours, prevent breast cancer, improve motor and behavioural skills amongst the elderly and increases male fertility.

There are so many factors in this day and age that work against achieving optimal fertility. As far as your fertility goes, more often than not, it is a product of its environment. Semen quality is substantially decreased in more industrialized nations. This can be attributed to environmental pollutants, industrial waste, poor lifestyle habits and poor nutrition.

We have discussed in the past how important it is to incorporate polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) into your diet. They are an integral part of a low fat diet, as they release a hormone that tells the brain that you are full. Polyunsaturated fatty acids should be commonplace in the diets of those wanting to lose weight in order to increase fertility, because they can promote healthy weight loss and prevent overeating. Polyunsaturated fatty acids also prevent heart disease, aide in the production of cell membranes and regulate the production of prostaglandins (which help regulate inflammation). Some dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids include various types of fish, fish oil supplements, flax seed, peanut butter, soybeans, several grains, various other oils (including sunflower-seed, corn, sesame, soy and safflower) and lastly, walnuts!

So what’s all the fuss about when it comes to walnuts and increasing fertility? It significantly increases sperm quality. A study was conducted at the University of California with just over one hundred male participants, who were split into two groups. While one group ate a healthy amount of tree nuts, the other avoided eating them. The results were significant, and the University found that the men eating tree nuts did not experience any significant changes in their body-mass indexes, body weight or activity level, and several tests revealed a significant improvement in sperm vitality, motility and morphology. Furthermore, their sperm had fewer chromosomal abnormalities as a result, which is often a huge and extremely common reason why male infertility is so prevalent.

So, if you’re trying to increase your fertility, chow down on some walnuts guys! And while you’re at it, try our male fertility tea, ViriliTea!