Men who regularly consume sugary drinks may be putting their fertility at risk, according to a new scientific review published in the journal Nutrients. Researchers found that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are linked to poorer sperm health, mainly due to hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress.
Key Findings
The review analyzed 11 observational and cohort studies published between 2000 and 2024, selected from databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The studies explored how high SSB intake affects male reproductive health.
SSBs—such as sodas, fruit drinks, and energy drinks—are the largest source of added sugar in the diet. A single 355 ml soda can contain up to 37.5 grams of sugar and about 150 calories. Global consumption of these beverages rose nearly 23% between 1990 and 2018, with men consuming more than women.
Impact on Sperm Health
The findings show that drinking more than seven sugary beverages per week (around 250 grams of sugar) is associated with a 22% reduction in sperm concentration compared to non-drinkers. High intake was also linked to a slight decline in semen volume—around 6%—although this result was not always statistically significant.
Studies showed a weaker or inconsistent connection between high SSB consumption and other sperm health factors like motility (movement) and morphology (shape). While some results indicated modest negative effects, others found no significant impact or even positive associations.
How Sugary Drinks Harm Fertility
Experts believe sugary drinks harm sperm quality through several biological mechanisms:
Obesity: High sugar intake often leads to obesity, which disrupts reproductive hormones and impairs sperm production.
Hormonal Changes: SSBs can lower levels of inhibin-B, a hormone essential for healthy sperm counts.
Oxidative Stress: These drinks raise levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), damaging DNA and reducing sperm motility.
Cell Aging: Heavy SSB consumption has been linked to shorter telomeres, a marker of premature cell aging.
Advanced molecular tests, like the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the comet assay, have confirmed DNA damage in sperm linked to oxidative stress from high sugar intake.
Artificial Sweeteners and Supplements
Drinks with artificial sweeteners showed little to no impact on sperm health, though researchers caution that more studies are needed. While antioxidant supplements such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione may help reduce oxidative damage, the review warns against excessive use, which might also impair fertility.
Instead, experts recommend a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet as a safer and more effective strategy to support reproductive health.
Recommendations and Future Research
Although the findings are based mainly on observational studies and do not prove direct cause and effect, researchers say the evidence strongly suggests a harmful link between SSBs and male fertility.
They recommend public health strategies focused on reducing SSB consumption, encouraging healthy diets, and promoting lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy body weight.
Future research should include long-term studies with consistent methods, especially in diverse populations, such as those in Asia. Researchers also stress the need to control for factors like physical activity, body mass index, antioxidant intake, and environmental exposure to better understand how sugary drinks affect sperm health.
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