Is Monday Night Football Sacking Your Sperm Count?
By: Rachael Anderson
Men: Put down the remote and step away from the couch. All that time you spend watching TV (you know who you are) could seriously slash your sperm count.
Testosterone supplements can hamper your swimmers, too.
A Harvard School of Public Health study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that healthy men who spent 20 or more hours a week glued to the tube had a 44% lower sperm count than those who watched less TV. But it's not all bad news. Researchers also found that men turbocharged their sperm production by as much as 73% if they did 15 hours a week of moderate to vigorous exercise.
Why TV Hurts, Exercise Helps
Researchers say the decrease in sperm count could be associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle, which is a risk factor for obesity and other diseases. Being overweight may alter hormone levels and heat up your testicles, causing you to produce less sperm. Exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to boost testosterone levels and improve insulin function, both factors related to higher sperm concentration.
Love TV? Do this during commercials.
Looking for other ways to increase your sperm count? Try these:
1. Choose chocolate. This sweet treat helps increase sperm count by improving blood flow.
2. Stress less. Prolonged stress can interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm.
3. Pass on the alcohol. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm production.
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