Fruit, vegetables determine semen quality

MURCIA, Spain, June 9 (UPI) -- Semen quality depends on quantity of anti-oxidants from fruit and vegetables, researchers in Spain said.

"Our previous research study, published in March, showed that men who eat large amounts of meat and full fat dairy products have lower seminal quality than those who eat more fruit, vegetables and reduced fat dairy products," lead author Jaime Mendiola of the University of Murcia said in a statement. "In this study, we have found that people who consume more fruits and vegetables are ingesting more anti-oxidants, and this is the important point."

The study was carried out among 61 men, 30 of whom had reproductive problems, while the remaining 31 acted as controls.

The study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, found that the men with good semen quality ate more vegetables and fruit -- more vitamins, folic acid and fiber and less proteins and fats -- than those men with low seminal quality, Mendiola said.

"What we still do not understand is the difference between taking these vitamins naturally and in the form of supplements," the researchers said. "In the studies we are going to carry out in the United States we will be looking at the role of supplements."