Beer May Deter Male Fertility by Lowering Sperm Count

Moderate consumption of beer, wine and coffee may not be harmful but drinking large amounts of aforementioned beverages could affect a man’s fertility, a new British study has revealed.

According to the study, conducted by researchers in Britain, caffeinated drinks like coffee and beer and red wine contain high levels of oestrogen-like chemicals that scientists believe can lower sperm count, a medical complication known to make it harder for a man to conceive.

A sperm count for a healthy man ranging between 80 and 120 million per milliliter is considered "normal".

What’s more shocking, the study has found, is that the drinks caused more damage when consumed along with brazil nuts, peanuts and brown ale as these nuts too contain high levels of phytoestrogens, naturally-occurring plants compounds which also occur in large amounts of Soya.

The study carried out by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Cambridge suggests that a particular type of phytoestrogen, called isoflavones that mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, is to blame for the effect on male fertility.

To reach their study, lead researcher Gunter Kuhnle of MRC in Cambridge and colleagues surveyed dozens of foods using a sensitive chemical technique. They measured levels of isoflavones and a second oestrogen-like chemical, called lignans.

The researchers said their study clearly showed that more food and beverages contain the compounds linked with falling sperm counts than previously thought.

"The data we have collected has enabled us to put together an accurate table of which foods contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens, so we can look at the effect of long term exposure, and work out what the safe levels are likely to be for humans" Kuhnle said.

The latest study, published in the latest edition of the 'Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,' contradicts some earlier studies that suggest phytoestrogens compounds can ease the symptoms of the menopause, and can protect against cancerdefine and heart disease.

New Scientist magazine that reported the Cambridge results says the studies on the health effects of phytoestrogens have came out with mixed and muddled results.

“Some have hinted that the compounds protect against cancer, heart disease and the side-effects of the menopause, while others have linked high levels to an increased risk of breast cancer and male infertility” New Scientist says.

“Still others have documented no link between phytoestrogens and those same ailments” it states further. “So snack at your own risk - or reward.”

In July this year, a study published in the online edition of the journal Human Reproduction Highlights had revealed that regular intake of even modest quantities of soy food may deter male fertility by lowering sperm concentration.

The study had stated at the time that the plant oestrogens in soy-based foods such as tofu, soy mince or milk are believed to interfere with hormonal signals.