Beetroot and Male Fertility

 Written by Ben Bunting: BA(Hons), PGCert.

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Beetroot is packed full of antioxidants and folate, which may help boost your sperm count. Vitamin C, in particular, protects sperm cells from free radical damage. Folate, meanwhile, helps to improve egg implantation. Nitrates, another important nutrient for male fertility, increase sperm count and improve growth restriction.

What is a Beetroot?

A beetroot is the taproot portion of the beet plant. The root is most commonly known in North America as beets, but it's also known in the UK as beetroot, table beet, and dinner beet. In some regions, the beet root is also called a golden beet.

The root of a beet can be cooked, roasted, pickled or eaten raw. The green part is also edible, and can be added to salads. The mature leaves are generally served boiled and have a similar texture to spinach. Traditionally, beetroot has also been used to treat a variety of conditions, including digestive and kidney problems.

A beet is a perennial plant that grows in the autumn and winter. A beetroot plant needs about 55 to 65 days from germination to harvest. It is hardy in northern regions, but is still best protected by dry mulch to help with weed control. Beets can also be grown as globe rooted varieties, which are less likely to bolt. In addition, globe varieties can be sown several weeks earlier, making them ideal for early sowings or early winter harvests.

Beetroot is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It is a good source of folate, magnesium, and iron. It is a tasty, versatile vegetable that is easy to incorporate into your diet. It also makes a fantastic addition to salads, dips, and juices.

The Nutritional Value of Beetroot

Beetroot is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which has several health-promoting effects, including aiding weight loss and maintaining blood sugar and lipid levels. It also promotes healthy gut function. Its nitrate content helps to increase the capacity of the human body to use oxygen, a key factor in cardiovascular health.

This root vegetable contains beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A, which has been shown to protect against macular degeneration and cataract. It also contains iron, zinc, copper, and betaine, all of which are beneficial for the heart and the liver. Furthermore, the beetroot's high content of beta-carotene helps prevent age-related macular degeneration, which is a common complication among the elderly.

Beets are also high in folate, a B vitamin that is essential for the production of red and white blood cells. Folate is particularly beneficial for women who are pregnant, as it helps prevent low birth weight and promote the development of the baby. Studies have shown that a folate deficiency is associated with an increased risk of birth defects. Another benefit of beets is their manganese content. One serving of beetroot has 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance of manganese.

Beets also contain high amounts of potassium, which may help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Iron, another mineral found in beets, is needed by the body to transport oxygen from the lungs to the heart. 

Beetroot and Fertility

Beetroot is a great source of folate, an essential vitamin for sperm development. Studies have shown that it can boost male fertility and decrease the risk of miscarriages. In addition, folate helps with embryo implantation and prevents neural tube defects. Beetroot is also high in vitamin C and E, two nutrients necessary for healthy sperm. Beetroot is easily available and is an excellent food for improving male fertility.

➡️READ: Natural treatments for male infertility

Studies have also shown that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can improve male fertility. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is high in antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, C, and B. These nutrients help promote healthy sperm mobility and sperm count.

Free radical protection

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects sperm cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is important to normal sperm functioning and helps prevent the breakdown of DNA. Its antioxidant effect counteracts the effects of ROS in the body and also protects sperm cells from free radical damage. It has also been shown that lower levels of vitamin C in sperm are linked with poorer morphology. Vitamin C can also improve sperm motility.

High levels of ROS can damage any cell, including sperm. In addition, sperm contain a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are prone to oxidation. When this happens, sperm have reduced capacity to repair DNA damage. As a result, oxidative injury can lead to infertility. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are effective antioxidants that can protect sperm from the effects of free radicals.

Folate helps with egg implantation

A rich source of folate and antioxidants, beetroot helps with egg implantation. It can also be helpful for men who suffer from low sperm count. Moreover, beetroot can improve the levels of progesterone, a key hormone in pregnancy.

Folate is important for healthy fertility in women. Studies have shown that women who take folate supplements are more likely to conceive. However, there are some other factors that can affect fertility. For example, stress can affect the ability of women to conceive. In order to minimize the risk of stress, women should consume more foods high in essential nutrients. Beets contain a high amount of nitrates, which act as vasodilators, helping to increase blood flow to the uterus, which aids in embryo implantation.

The effects of nitrates

Drinking water nitrates have been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes in animals and humans. However, there is little systematic research examining their effect on male fertility. In a systematic review, the role of nitrates in fertility is examined. The authors identify adverse reproductive outcomes in humans and animals, including subfecundity, pregnancy rates, and spontaneous abortion. They also review animal studies that show inverse associations between nitrate levels and various semen parameters.

Fortunately, animal studies provide more relevant information because they involve similar animals and more controlled conditions. These studies also allow researchers to study how nitrates affect sperm and other reproductive parameters. For example, Anderson et al. 1978 studied mice and found that those treated with nitrates produced fewer offspring. This was associated with a decrease in sperm count and motility. Similarly, Attia et al. 1998 found that mice exposed to nitrate alone had similar litter sizes to those exposed to imipramine. 

Conclusion

Beetroots are nutrient rich containng anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. The constituents of beetroots are documented as being beneficial to many aspects of a person's health. However, they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet, and not for the sole purpose of treating a particular condition. While there are instances of improved fertility markers due to beetroots, they should be consumed as part of a healthy overall lifestyle.