The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| To boost male fertility, cut back on coffee, eat more fruit Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:18 AM PST  New research finds that a diet rich in fruits and grains can boost sperm count and motility. ― AFP pic The Brazilian study looked at 250 men undergoing a type of fertility treatment with their partners known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, an in vitro fertilisation procedure in which a single sperm is injected into an egg. Researchers discovered that men who drank alcohol and coffee and ate a poor diet were less likely to conceive. Being overweight also contributed to lower sperm concentration and motility, and smoking affected sperm motility. "In contrast, eating more cereal grains was associated with improved sperm concentration and motility," writes American health publication Third Age on the study on Tuesday. "Fruit was linked to a speed and agility boost in sperm." The study, from the Fertility-Assisted Fertilisation Centre in Sao Paolo, was published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility on November 11. Another recent Harvard University study found that a diet of trans-fat laden junk food can render otherwise healthy young men infertile. Foods that have previously been shown to boost men's fertility include eggs, salmon, natural yogurt, nuts, seeds, berries, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and asparagus. ― AFP-Relaxnews Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| No surprise here: teens eat too little fruit, vegetables Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:40 AM PST  Individually wrapped fruit and vegetables are seen at a remodelled Sam's Club in Rogers, Arkansas on June 3, 2010. ― Reuters pic "Our basic findings are that fruit and vegetable consumption among high school students is low," said Sonia A. Kim, a CDC epidemiologist and one of the authors of the study. "There's more that schools and communities can do to encourage consumption." Black and Hispanic students ate the least amount of vegetables, according to the report, which is based on data from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study. Overall, only 16.8 per cent of teens ate fruit more than four times a day and even fewer, 11.2 per cent, ate vegetables that often, the report said. Fruits and vegetables can reduce chronic diseases and some cancers and help teens manage their weight, the CDC said. CDC guidelines for adolescents who exercise less than 30 minutes a day are for females to eat 1.5 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables daily and for males to eat two cups of fruit and three cups of vegetables. A cup is the equivalent of one medium-sized apple or eight strawberries, the CDC said. The study did not examine the reasons why high school students do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, but it recommends increasing the availability of healthier foods. The CDC participates in a programme called "Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools," which has a goal of putting 6,000 salad bars in schools over the next three years. "There is evidence that salad bars do increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children," Kim told Reuters. School and community gardening programmes and farmer's markets also encourage healthier eating, Kim said. ― Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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