What foods can make it difficult to conceive?

Eating a lot of processed meats, grilled foods, and sugary foods affects female reproductive function and reduces the chances of conception.

Many factors affect female fertility. Below are four types of food that women should minimize in their diet if they are trying to conceive.

Red meat and processed meat

Consuming large amounts of red meat and processed meats such as bacon and sausages can impair reproductive function in both sexes. These foods are high in trans fats and saturated fats. Women should maintain a balanced diet of plant and animal proteins; consider replacing processed meats with white meat, legumes, and nuts.

Refined carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates typically lack most of the fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are a source of empty calories, are digested quickly, and have a high glycemic index (GI), causing a spike in blood sugar after meals.

Replacing high-GI foods with lower-GI foods may improve women's fertility. Lower-GI foods include whole grains and some vegetables common in the Mediterranean diet.

Combining a low-GI diet with increased fiber and reduced added sugar offers benefits for reproductive health. Fiber is abundant in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Those on a low-fiber diet may consider replacing white bread and pasta with whole-grain alternatives.

Grilled food

Baked goods such as cakes and donuts, especially those fried in margarine, are often high in trans fats and saturated fats. Consuming these fats has been linked to difficulty conceiving.

Sugary drinks

Consuming too much sugar increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged stress causes a range of problems related to decreased libido. Sugary soft drinks and energy drinks have a worse impact on health compared to fruit juices. Women should prioritize drinking water and naturally flavored drinks such as lemon or berry juice.

Besides diet, women should change their lifestyle if they want to conceive quickly.

Get enough sleep: Sleep disruption leads to decreased testosterone levels, inhibits melatonin production, and increases stress hormones, reducing fertility in both men and women.

Physical activity: Regular exercise helps prevent overweight and obesity, and increases the chances of conception.

Prenatal vitamin supplements: Getting enough folic acid is essential for a healthy pregnancy and helps reduce the risk of birth defects. Women who take a daily multivitamin may experience a faster pregnancy. Before using any product, women should consult their doctor.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use make it difficult to conceive.

Le Nguyen (According to Healthline )

Readers can submit questions about gynecological diseases here for doctors to answer.

Source link