If you are trying to conceive and are finding that it’s taking a little longer than you would have liked, you may be looking for ways to boost your fertility. Or, it could be that you are already seeking medical treatment for low fertility and, in addition, want to do whatever you can naturally to improve your chances.
While there is no definitive way to help you conceive 100% of the time, it has been shown that there are a number of natural ways to boost your fertility.
Here, we look at what foods and what drinks are good for fertility so you can include them in your diet as a means to help improve your chances of conception. Of course, doing so should always be done in close consultation with your healthcare professional who is familiar with your medical history.
Natural Ways To Boost Fertility
Boosting fertility with foods can be highly beneficial for conception. However, remember, there is never going to be a 100% positive outcome each and every time. For that reason, it’s a good idea to try to include all of the foods listed below in your diet.
After all, anything that might improve fertility, as well as your general health, is a good thing, right?
Everything listed has slightly different reasons that it can help with getting pregnant —for both men and women, so increasing your intake of them all has a far larger cumulative effect
Eat Full-Fat Dairy
Eating full-fat dairy as opposed to the lower-fat varieties has been seen to help with ovulation. A recent study at Harvard showed that women who ate low-fat versions of milk, yogurt, cheese, and cream were more likely to have ovulation problems than those who ate the full-fat versions of those products.
It is likely down to the fact that full-fat dairy is high in saturated fat which can aid fertility. Additionally, it is high in vitamins A, E, D, K, and K2—all of which are needed for the body to function properly, including its reproductive organs.
Up Your Intake Of Folate
Folate is necessary to regulate a good hormonal balance. Plus, low folate has been shown in one study to be associated with poor sperm DNA stability. Additionally, folate is needed for conception to help with cell division and DNA synthesis.
And, if a woman falls pregnant, one of the best ways she can help her baby’s development is to increase her folic acid intake. So if you have upped your intake of it already, it means you will not miss any of the initial weeks of pregnancy when folic acid can be so beneficial.
Eat More Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are easy to add to your diet, by simply sprinkling them on cereal, over a salad, or just eating them on their own as a snack. They are jam-packed with vitamin E which is required to help boost sperm count as well as sperm motility.
Plus, they are another good source of folate. They also have a lot of selenium which can help improve a woman’s fertility. Finally, sunflower seeds contain many fatty acids which are beneficial to overall body health, too.
Drink Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranates have been considered a superfood for many years now. When it comes to fertility, eating them or drinking the juice can be highly beneficial. Originally, they were believed to be great for fertility simply because they had so many seeds.
Now, however, they have been shown to help with sperm quality due to the high amount of antioxidants they contain. They can also help sperm motility which helps with conception.
Have A Handful Of Walnuts
Walnuts, like pomegranates, are a fantastic superfood that are delicious as a snack or eaten in food. They are very high in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are often considered to be beneficial in helping support reproduction.
When it comes to walnuts, one study has shown that they helped improve the quality of a man’s sperm. The sperm had better shape and motility—increasing the chances of conception.
Consume More Pineapple
When it comes to pineapple, old wives’ tales say that eating it when heavily pregnant can help bring on labor. That has yet to be proven, but it has been seen to help with conception, particularly if you suffer from PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Pineapple is exceptionally high in vitamin C and it is often found that those with low levels of vitamin C also suffer from PCOS. In addition, pineapple has been shown to have a slight blood-thinning effect.
But it is also helpful for those without PCOS as it also contains bromelain. Bromelain is fantastic for a person’s immune system as it reduces inflammation. If your body is suffering from inflammation, your fertility can be materially impacted as it can cause ovulation to be hindered.
Boosting Fertility Naturally—Key Takeaways
While including or increasing the intake of all these foods can be beneficial to your fertility, whether you are male or female—the key is to ensure that you are eating a well-balanced diet. If your body is fit and healthy, you are already putting yourself in the best condition to help with conception.
If a body is under strain due to increased blood pressure, too much body fat or less than optimum health, getting pregnant easily can be far more difficult.
For that reason, eating or drinking the above foods plus a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will help a body to function optimally, which, in turn, will help your reproductive system to function the best that it can.
Either way, if you are concerned that you may have fertility issues, it is always best to consult a doctor for clear direction and guidance.
I am Kate, a dedicated health advocate. My purpose is to educate you regarding the most current wellness trends, offer science-backed insights to enhance your understanding, and present actionable tips to support you on your journey towards a healthier and happier life. Let us commence this wellness path together!