Soy and Fertility

The cloud of uncertainty about soy and its effect on men’s fertility still looms in the air and research has shown that the intake of soy products reduces the sperm count in men almost by half. It is also seen that the intake of soy products and the effect on their fertility is proportional. Men taking sufficient quantities of soy products and not bingeing on it had no much effect on their sperm count. But men, who consumed almost around two servings of soy-based food per day, found that there was a significant reduction in the sperm concentration.

In one of the studies conducted with regard to soy and fertility problems, researchers looked at 99 men who were currently suffering from fertility problems. They were given a questionnaire which accounted for their consumption of soy based foods during the proceeding three months. On analyzing their semen samples and the questionnaire results, they found that the men who had soy-food products regularly in their diet were the ones who had the most significant impact on their sperm count.

Studies have revealed that Zinc is necessary for the sperm production and regular intake of soy based food had an adverse effect on their sperm concentration. They are known to contain phytates which are known to interfere with Zinc adsorption. Chemicals known as isoflavones are also found in soy products which mimic the estrogen hormone. These chemicals impede a man’s ability to produce sperm. In fact, there is a belief in Japan that wives used to feed their husbands tofu which is rich in soy, when they wanted to prevent pregnancy. Even Buddhist monks traditionally ate tofu to lower their libido.

All these studies is not sufficient enough to reach to a conclusion. More research has to be done in this field to arrive at a point because there is also evidence that most men in Asia eat more soy-based products and have no fertility problems