Recent research highlights the potential negative effects of consuming ultraprocessed foods on both embryo development and male fertility. Conducted by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the study was published in “Human Reproduction” and focused on the dietary habits of couples during pregnancy.
Ultraprocessed foods, as defined by the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines, are industrial formulations made from ingredients extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, such as oils, sugars, and flavor enhancers. Common examples include cookies, snacks, and sodas. The study suggests that these foods not only contribute to weight gain and chronic diseases but also impact fertility in both men and women.
Celine Lin, a doctoral candidate at Erasmus University Medical Center and lead author of the study, noted that while ultraprocessed foods did not directly correlate with infertility or time to conception, they did affect embryonic growth. Specifically, women consuming these foods showed slightly smaller embryo growth and yolk sac size by the seventh week of pregnancy. These findings, although seemingly minor, are significant for research and population health.
For men, the study linked higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods to increased subfertility and longer times to achieve pregnancy. This aligns with previous research from 2025, which indicated that such diets could adversely affect sperm production and quality. Romy Gaillard, a pediatrician and study leader, emphasized that reducing ultraprocessed food intake could benefit both partners’ health and improve pregnancy outcomes.
The study involved 831 women and 651 male partners, tracking their dietary habits from pre-conception through their children’s early years. Participants completed dietary questionnaires around the 12th week of pregnancy, revealing that ultraprocessed foods constituted 22% of women’s diets and 25% of men’s. The study’s observational nature means it can only show associations, not causation, prompting calls for further research to explore biological mechanisms and broader implications for child development.
