- A new study suggests higher ultra-processed food intake may be linked to poorer fertility outcomes in men and subtle changes in early embryo development in women.
- In men, higher intake was linked to a longer time to pregnancy and a higher risk of subfertility.
- The study was observational, so it cannot prove ultra-processed foods directly caused the effects.
Researchers analysed data from 831 women and 651 male partners in a prospective study in the Netherlands.
Diet was assessed during early pregnancy, and ultra-processed food intake was measured as a share of total daily food intake.
The researchers then looked at time to pregnancy, subfertility and markers of early embryonic development.
In men, higher intake of ultra-processed foods was linked to a greater risk of subfertility and a longer time to conception.
In women, the picture was slightly different.
Higher intake was not consistently linked to subfertility or time to pregnancy, but it was associated with slightly smaller embryonic growth and a smaller yolk sac by the seventh week of pregnancy.
These differences were small, but they matter because early embryonic growth can be linked to later pregnancy outcomes.
The study cannot tell us exactly why these associations were seen.
It may be related to poor nutritional quality, food additives, packaging chemicals or other features of ultra-processed diets.
The researchers also make an important broader point.
Fertility and early pregnancy are not just about the mother’s health.
- Ultra-processed foods in preschool years associated with behavioural difficulties
- Ultra processed foods are engineered like cigarettes
- Ultra-processed foods engineered to be addictive
The father’s diet and health status may matter as well.
That is something preconception advice has often overlooked.
If you want, I can keep going in exactly this format for the next batch.
