Food and Nutrition that can Improve Fertility

Eminent Nutritionist Avni Kaul share what couples should eat to conceive

According to the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, infertility currently affects one out of six couples in urban India. Nearly 27.5 million couples actively trying to conceive suffer from infertility in the whole country. These are research figures but in actual, nobody knows how many marriages are getting silently destroyed and couple’s lives are getting devastated, due to the problem of infertility. Currently, a lot of scientific research is going on to cope with infertility issues and today’s medical science too offers some effective solutions. But very few people might know that with right nutrition and diet, couples can enhance their fertility? In this article eminent Dietician and Nutritionist Avni Kaul share few important foods that couples should take to improve their fertility.

 1. Foods Rich in Antioxidants

When oxygen is metabolized, it creates unstable molecules called ‘free radicals’, which steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage to DNA and cells, including sperm and egg cells. Antioxidants are found in certain foods can deactivate the free radicals in the body and protect the sperm and egg cells. Some of the important antioxidants that can improve fertility in both men and women are:-

• Lutein – green, leafy vegetables like spinach, and corn
• Beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley
• Vitamin C – oranges, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum, and strawberries
• Vitamin E -vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, seeds, and whole grains
• Zinc – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

2. Iron

During menstruation, an average woman loses 30-40 milliliters of blood over the course of three to seven days. Since iron is attached to the red blood cells so with the bleeding a woman loses iron from her body.

Hence menstruation is a good time to remember to focus on foods rich in iron since lack of iron in the body can lead to a lack of ovulation. Also, during the pregnancy, maintaining good hemoglobin and iron level is important to sustain the pregnancy and for proper growth of the fetus.  Foods that are rich in iron are beans and lentil, tofu, soybean, cashews, spinach, Pumpkin, Sesame, Hemp and Flaxseeds.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known to improve the function of the ovaries and encourage proper egg production by stimulating insulin resistance. A woman who is planning to conceive should take a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon every day. It can be consumed either through cooked food but taking raw cinnamon could do more wonders to the reproductive health.

4. Sesame seeds

Seeds are high in zinc and help with the production of hormones responsible for optimum egg health. Sesame seeds are also rich in monosaturated fats. A woman should start adding sesame in her daily diet by adding it to her daily cereals or salads.

5. Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that increase blood circulation and improves digestion. This helps to alleviate discomfort in the reproductive system, regularise healthy menstruation cycles. One of the best ways to include ginger in your diet is to add it in your morning tea.

Note: prior to adding the above food in your daily diet, please consult a doctor or a qualified nutritionist for the best result.

About Nutritionist Avni Kaul

Avni Kaul is an eminent Nutritionist in Delhi. She is a Wellness Coach, Diabetes Educator and specializes in Weight Management, Child Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, Diabetic Management, Skin and Beauty health, Thyroid Disorder, Corporate Wellness.  Avni was the Advisor (Nutrition) in preparatory session for the Buenos Aires 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games and she is frequently been featured in leading Indian & International Media as an expert on topics related to nutrition, weight loss and alternative healing with food etc.