The vegan diet is becoming increasingly popular as many people switch to plant-based foods to improve their health. However, whether applying this diet really helps increase fertility is still a matter of concern.
According to Dr. Ritu Hinduja, clinical director and reproductive expert at Cloudnine Hospital Group (Mumbai, India), a vegan diet can support fertility if built reasonably. However, the decisive factor is not in vegetarianism, but in the nutritional quality of the diet.
Vegetable-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts provide a lot of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. These ingredients can help reduce inflammation, support endocrine balance and improve the reproductive environment in the body. In women, this is related to ovulation and egg quality. In men, a diet rich in antioxidants can support sperm quality.
Some plant-rich diet models such as the Mediterranean diet have been recorded to be associated with better fertility. However, this is not a vegan diet, but a balanced diet with plenty of natural foods.
Conversely, a vegan diet if not adequately built can cause nutritional deficiencies. Substances such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, omega-3, vitamin D, protein, choline and iodine are often difficult to respond to without a reasonable supplementation plan. Lack of these nutrients can affect hormones, egg quality, sperm and reduce fertility.
Some studies show that sperm quality is not significantly different between vegetarians and non-vegetarians. This shows that the decisive factor is the adequacy and balance of the diet, not whether or not animal-based foods are used. A diet lacking in necessary nutrients, regardless of the diet, can negatively affect reproductive health.
Dr. Ritu Hinduja said that people who are planning to have children should not apply too strict diets. Instead, they should prioritize a diverse diet, ensuring adequate nutrients and suitable for the needs of the body.
A vegan diet can help support fertility if built adequately and balanced. Conversely, if you eat insufficient nutrients, it can adversely affect reproductive health.
