Body & Mind

These 9 things lead to bad sperm

By Wieke Veenboer | #!30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:001730#30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202530 19am30am-30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:005Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam2025302025Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200075074amSaturday=9#!30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam4#04-19-2025#!30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:001730#/30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202530#!30Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:07:17 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam4#

‘I often find ’You are what you eat' to be a bit of an exaggerated statement, but sometimes there is actually a kernel of truth in it. Especially for men; certain things you eat can really do no good for your sperm. There are many factors that play a role when it comes to the quality of sperm. Also, certain things have a lot of influence on its taste, by the way. Now we are not going for the taste sensation, but purely for the quality. If you want your sperm to always be top-notch, then you better avoid the following things.

1. Licorice
That may sound quite easy, avoiding licorice, but remember that it is also in candy. Yes indeed: licorice leads to lower quality sperm. So be careful, and throw that licorice jar out the door. By the way, if you really find taste more important: licorice does make your sperm sweeter.

2. Heat
Of course, you can still be in the sun, but you better avoid a sauna. Everything below 35 degrees is good; otherwise, the sperm cells become sluggish. We don't want that.

3. Tight clothing
This has a bit to do with the point above, because if you wear tight clothing, your body can dissipate heat less effectively.

4. The frequency of ejaculation
If you have already ejaculated shortly before sex, the quality of your sperm is significantly lower. But don't get too enthusiastic and stop masturbating altogether, because after ten days without ejaculation, the sperm cells also die. Once every three days is best for quality.

5. Avoid alcohol and drugs
It is naturally very healthy for you to avoid excessive alcohol and drugs, but it is also really not good for your sperm.

6. Having an irregular life
Combine an irregular life with little sleep and voilà: your sperm is worth nothing. Well, at least a lot less. So make sure to get enough sleep and maintain a consistent daily rhythm.

7. Stay active
It is good for you to take a walk every now and then, but did you know that sitting for long periods is also really bad for your sperm?

8. Pay attention to which lubricant you use
Certain types of lubricant cause your sperm to swim less quickly towards the egg. Okay, to be fair: this says nothing about the quality of your sperm, but if you want to get pregnant, it's good to know.

9. Eat fish
Research from Harvard showed that men who ate a lot of fish had better sperm than those who preferred to skip the fish.

Source: Quest