Continued from last week…
Super Foods to Improve Sperm Counts
18. Tomatoes
Double down on the marinara to protect your manhood. One study found the garden vegetable could improve sperm morphology (shape); men with the highest tomato intake had between 8 and 10 percent more ‘normal’ sperm than those with low tomato intake. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant believed to improve sperm motility, structure, and activity. Research reveals that regular consumption of tomato juice can improve the motility of sperm in infertile men. You can also add olive oil to cooked or processed tomatoes for improving the absorption of the antioxidant.
- 19. Chili Peppers
Nature’s ultimate example of truth in advertising, chili peppers brings the heat. They contain capsaicin, a natural chemical that lends spicy food its pleasurable pain and has serious fat-burning and libido-reviving benefits. Research has shown that it boosts testosterone and increases circulation — all good news for your erection and what you do with it. Capsaicin also boosts the release of endorphins, which in turn stimulate desire.
A recent study by French researchers found that men who eat the spiciest foods tend to have higher testosterone levels than those with milder palates. Study authors attribute the T-boosting effects in part to capsaicin, a compound in chilies that previous research has associated with increased testosterone levels. Seriously spicy peppers are also packed with quercetin, a nutrient shown to boost testosterone levels in the body by reducing the amount that’s otherwise flushed out by the kidneys.
How alpha are you? Well, how many shakes of hot sauce can you handle? A recent study from France found men who have a taste for spicy foods tend to have higher testosterone levels than those who can’t handle the heat. Of the 114 male participants surveyed, researchers saw a clear correlation between frequent hot-sauce usage and higher T-levels. African men are sexually active because they tap into the secret of eating spice foods.
- 20. Oats
If you want to go long enough to help your date reach the big O, reach for some oatmeal. The popular breakfast cereal is a good source of l-arginine, an amino acid commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction. Plus, whole grains like oatmeal also help lower cholesterol levels. Having high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that clogs and narrows arteries, impairing blood flow. This could eventually lead to heart problems, but you’ll likely notice issues below the belt first. The arteries surrounding the genital area are narrower than coronary blood vessels, so they’re more susceptible to clots. Simply put, the better your cholesterol levels are, the better your erection will be, too.
- 21. Fortified Cereals
If seafood isn’t your thing — or the Casanova Breakfast Plan doesn’t work with your budget — know that fortified breakfast cereals are also good sources of B12. According to the USDA, healthy cereals such as Kellogg’s All-Bran, NASCO Cornflakes, Golden Mourn and Whole Grain provide a full day’s allowance. Check the nutrition facts and opt for whole grains, which can help lower cholesterol levels. Having high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, or clogged and constricted arteries, which inhibits blood flow. That’s dangerous for your heart, but guesses which artery-rich organ you’ll probably notice it in first. Don’t think cereals are for kids only; adult too needs it as well.
- 22. Honey
Honey, unlike table sugar, is packed with beneficial compounds like quercetin, which has been shown to aid athletic endurance and ward off depression. Honey also has a less dramatic impact on your blood-sugar levels than regular sugar, so it won’t send your body into fat-storage mode the way the white stuff can. Try adding some honey to your afternoon tea or morning bowl of oatmeal, but don’t go overboard; the sweet nectar has 17 g of sugar and 64 calories per tablespoon, so too much honey can make you heavy, rather than horny.
- 23. Olive Oil
Regular consumption of olive oil improves semen and sperm count. It acts by lowering the bad cholesterol levels, thus stimulating the oxygen flow to the testicles and allowing the formation of healthy sperm.
- 24. Fish
Men looking to boost their sperm quality should head to the fish counter, research suggests. Sperm size and shape — one marker used to evaluate male infertility — was better in men who ate the most white meat fish as compared to men who ate the least, a study published in The Journal of Nutrition showed. And total sperm count was about 34 percent higher among men who ate the most dark meat fish, like tuna, than men who ate the least amount of fish. Meanwhile, men who reported eating one to three servings of processed meat had worse sperm morphology (shape) than men who ate the fewest servings.
To be continued next week… Don’t forget to like and follow me on all social media platforms.
Theresa Moses
Journalist <> Blogger <> Publishing <> Brand Consultants <> Film/Documentary Production
Phone: +234-807-202-2024; E-mail: [email protected]; Instagram: evertess2010; LinkedIn: Theresa Moses; Twitter: @moses_theresa; Facebook: Theresa Moses