Nuts: A Potential Boost for Male Fertility

Researchers in Milan are attempting to prove that consuming small daily quantities of almonds or walnuts could have a significant effect on sperm quality and male fertility.

Doctors in Italy believe they may have found the secret to boosting male fertility: a handful of nuts.

The Study on Nuts and Fertility

Experts at the Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, a hospital in Turin, are conducting a study of 100 men to test the theory that consuming as little as seven nuts a day (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and hazelnuts) can significantly improve sperm quality.

In 2012, a research team at the University of California showed that men who consumed 75g of walnuts daily experienced marked improvements in sperm vitality, motility, and morphology. Their findings suggest a direct link between an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (abundant in nuts) and improved sperm quality among men on a western diet.

Why Nuts May Improve Sperm Quality

• Walnuts: Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• Almonds: Packed with arginine, an amino acid known to increase sperm production.
• Peanuts: High levels of zinc, which can improve sperm count and motility.

Male Fertility: A Growing Concern

Up to 20% of young men have low sperm counts, defined as fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. This issue has been increasing over the years. A 1992 Danish study revealed that sperm counts had halved since the mid-20th century, with abnormal sperm becoming more common.

Factors contributing to these changes may include:

• Poor diet and lifestyle choices.
• Greater exposure to estrogen.
• Environmental chemicals.

A Simple Solution?

If boosting male fertility is as simple as consuming a handful of nuts daily, this easy dietary adjustment could provide significant benefits. Could it even drive up sales of nut-based snacks like Snickers bars? Only time will tell.