Bacon, Sausages, Hamburgers Linked With Sperm Count Drop

Watch out men, eating a rasher or two of bacon daily can negatively impact men's fertility, according to a new study released Monday.

A Harvard University study looked at 156 men who were in a relationship and were having difficulties conceiving a child. The study examined their diet and the size and shape of their sperm, according to The Telegraph. Researchers discovered that men who regularly ate processed meat such as bacon, ham, hamburgers, ground beef and sausages were more likely to have a lower sperm count compared to men who didn't consume as much processed meat. On average, men who ate the equivalent of less than a rasher of bacon a day had 30 per cent more normal sperm than those who ate higher quantities of processed meats.

On the flip side, the study found that eating portion of white fish, such as halibut, every other day had an overall healthier sperm count compared to men who didn't eat white fish.

"We found that processed meat intake was associated with lower semen quality and fish was to higher semen quality," said Dr Myriam Afeiche, from the Department of Nutrition, at Harvard School of Public Health.

Other health experts agreed with the findings and urged men to take the warning to heart.

"The relationship between diet and men's fertility is an interesting one and there is certainly now convincing evidence that men who eat more fresh fruit and vegetables have better sperm than men who don't," fertility expert Dr. Allan Pacey told The Telegraph

"It is already known that high intake of processed meat is linked to other health issues,"

Dr Pacey added. "Advising men to limit their intake of processed food may improve their health generally, as well as possibly be good for their fertility."