How ultra-processed foods damage your fertility
Millions of couples are struggling to start a family. The Office of Women's Health says that around 10% of females up to age 44 have trouble getting or staying pregnant. And male infertility affects 10% to 15% of men in the U.S. who are trying to conceive.
An increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases and an older average age of first-time baby-makers may account for some of the recent rise in cases of infertility. But there's another cause that we should have seen coming -- eating ultraprocessed foods (UPFs).
A new study looked at data on 2,582 women ages 20-45 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Just over 12% had experienced infertility. And those women reported that their daily intake of UPFs totaled at least 31% of their diet.
UPFs interfere with fertility because they expose you to chemicals like phthalates and BPAs that damage your body's ability to use nutrients essential for functional hormone levels and sexual reproduction, and they ding your immune system and energy metabolism.
In contrast, women who ate a Mediterranean diet (with fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy, lean proteins like fish, and olive oil) were far more likely to conceive and carry a healthy baby full term.
Men, listen up! You need to upgrade your diet, too -- and both genders should take prenatal multivitamins for six months prior to conception. Your nutrition before conception influences your child's lifelong health. Want help upgrading your diet? Check out "What to Eat When" and the "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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