Antioxidants Improve Sperm Quality & Boost Fertility in Men

Male infertility is responsible for half of all infertility cases. Researcher is increasingly identifying oxidative stress as a leading cause. That holds out the promise that antioxidants could help.

Men with varicocele, poor blood flow leads to oxidative stress, which leads to damaged sperm and infertility. About 40% of all men with infertility have varicocele.

This just published study included 900 men between the ages of 20 and 45 who had varicocele. It found three intriguing things.

First, men with varicocele do not get enough protein, omega-3 EDFA’s, vitamins A, C, D, and E and the minerals zinc, selenium, magnesium, and iron. Men with the most severe condition consistently got even less than the men with milder conditions. Men with the most severe varicocele ate significantly less fruits and vegetables.

Second, the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium significantly improved sperm concentration, and vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc significantly improved sperm motility.

Third, increased levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc significantly increased chances of conception.

This important study shows a link between antioxidants and male infertility and suggests that getting more antioxidants can improve fertility in men, particularly, in this study, those with varicocele.

Front. Nutr. July 2026;13:1832900.

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For much more on treating infertility naturally, see our book Sex & Fertility: Natural Solutions.

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