Yes, a diet rich in fruits, veggies boosts our health. It can boost sperm count, too.

A nutrient rich diet loaded with vegetables, fruits and lean protein can reduce risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and inflammation.

But what about sperm count? This is an important issue for many couples struggling with infertility. Pregnancy takes two and it appears a healthy diet is beneficial for men and women.

This study of 2,935 Danish men was published this month in JAMA network Urology. The average age was 19 years and 78% of the men had a normal body mass index. The researchers identified four eating patterns: What they called prudent, western, traditional Danish and vegetarian-like.

The Western diet had more pizza, french fries, sugared foods and drinks, refined grains and processed meats. The prudent diet contained more vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish and water. The Danish diet contained more cold processed meats, cold fish, mayonnaise, whole grain bread and dairy products. The vegetarian-like diet contained no meat or chicken.

The researchers analyzed semen quality, testosterone concentration, free testosterone and other markers of male fertility.

The young men with the highest adherence to the prudent diet had the highest sperm count. Second highest sperm count was with the men on the vegetarian-like diet pattern. Adherence to what they described as the Western diet was associated with the lowest sperm count. As an aside, the men who followed the Western diet exercised less. A low sperm count not only affects fertility it also is a marker for overall male health.

This was the largest study to date of the relationship of diet to male fertility. Not surprising that the young men who ate the most “prudent” diet had the highest sperm count and more favorable markers of testicular function.

I appreciate that they looked at dietary patterns as opposed to specific vitamins and minerals. People eat food not vitamins. Great health begins on the plate.

Sheah Rarback MS, RDN is a registered dietitian in private practice in Miami.

This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 4:16 PM.