Polyphenols May Help With Male Infertility

Infertility affects approximately 15% to 30% of couples worldwide. A recent study suggests that the polyphenols found in green tea, in addition to a few other types of polyphenols, may help improve male fertility by reducing inflammation that can damage sperm cells.

For this study, the researchers examined a wide range of research that looked at green tea and other polyphenolic and antioxidant compounds, including in vitro, in vivo, animal, human tissue, and human studies. All of studies looked at how these compounds can help protect delicate sperm cells.

The researchers found that oxidative stress can damage the DNA in sperm cells. They also found that sperm cells are potentially subject to lipid peroxidation, which disrupts cell function and can damage sperm motility.

They also found that green tea polyphenols have antioxidant properties that may help improve sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology and fertility rate. There is also some evidence that rooibos extract and chasteberry may have positive effects on sperm health.

Researchers from Anhui Agricultural University in China conducted the study. It was published on June 27, 2018, in Nutrients.

In addition to green tea, polyphenols can be found naturally in many foods, including honey, a variety of fruits and vegetables, red wine, chocolate, certain oils, and many types of grain.