Soy Foods Lead to Infertility
Infertility may occur because of excessive intake of soy foods. It is observed in the research study that the men who intake soy foods have less amount of sperm when compared to the men who have very less intake of soy foods. Many researchers have previously claimed about the effect of soy foods on male fertility but they were not having the solid evidence, whereas the latest study gave us the full proof evidences.
The study specifically highlighted the fact that it the sperm count was found to less in the obese and overweight people who had excessive intake of soy foods. The normal sperm concentration for the men ranges from 80 to 120 million/ml. The study revealed that the concentration of the men who eat soy food was 40 million sperm per milliliter less than the men who did not consume soy food.
Infertility may increase in the men who have excessive intake of soy foods because phytoestrogens which are the major active constituents of the soy foods has the adverse effect on the male semen by affenting the hormonal signals. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that behave like the hormone oestrogen. Isoflavones like daidzein, genistein, and glyciteinare are also found in the soy foods which have oestrogenic effects are responsible for the infertility in the animals.
The study was conducted by the Dr Chavarro and his colleagues who analyzed the intake of 15 soy-based foods in 99 men who had attended fertility clinic with their partners between 2000 and 2006. The soy foods like tofu, tempeh, soy sausages, bacon, burgers and mince, and soy products like roasted nuts, drinks, and powders. The men were divided among the four groups depending upon the soy foods intake. Factors like age, abstinence time, body mass index, smoking, and caffeine and alcohol intake were adjusted.
The study concluded that the people having the less intake of soy food were found to be fertile with the maximum amount of the sperm count as compared with the other three groups. The sperm count was found to 40 million per milliliter less in the group of individuals who were found to suffering from the obesity.
It is clear from the study that excessive intake of soy foods has adverse effects on the male fertility. Soy foods when taken in excess decrease the sperm count and cause the male infertility. Therefore, excessive intake of the soy foods should be avoided.