A new study has shown that eating ultra-processed foods caused healthy men to rapidly gain body fat and experience drops in sex hormones. Researchers also detected higher levels of a plastic-related chemical in their bodies, likely from food packaging.
While earlier studies have long connected ultra-processed foods to obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses, this latest research, published on August 28 in Cell Metabolism, breaks new ground as it suggests the damage may extend beyond metabolic health to reproductive health as well.
Individuals struggling with infertility are often ready to try anything, even forcing themselves to eat foods they don't like in an effort to conceive. Indeed, there are so many foods out there that allegedly boost fertility that it can be difficult to know what's true and what's not. According to the experts, there are certain foods and nutrients that may be beneficial.
Curious? Check out this gallery to learn more about the relationship between diet and fertility.