Walnuts’ intake improves male fertility, reduces cardiovascular diseases
Medical experts in Lagos on Wednesday advised men to eat some walnuts daily to improve their fertility, reduce cardiovascular diseases and risk of suffering from prostate cancer.
They said that the seasonal fruits contain other health benefits that could reduce infertility among its consumers.
Dr Oriola Idris, a gynaecologist at Rains Hospital in Lagos, said that infertility and sub-fertility affect a significant proportion of humanity; a burden relatively unknown in men.
“Walnuts are part of foods that can enhance men’s fertility; other seasonal fruits are also packed with a lot of health benefits.
“It contains high antioxidant content along with numerous micro-nutrients that may boost male fertility.
“The nuts have vital nutrients such as plant-based Omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is necessary for the improvement of reproductive health in men.
“Consuming a high amount of ALA derived from walnuts has been linked to a reduction of aneuploidy occurrence or the abnormal production of sperm cell chromosomes.
“Being a rich source of a-linolenic acid, a natural plant source of Omega-3, eating about 75 grammes of walnuts daily can help improve sperm quality, sperm vitality, motility and morphology,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Remi Esunrunoso, a nutrition- biochemist, advised people to always eat walnuts.
Esunrunoso said that eating walnuts daily for three months would increase sperm-count and male fertility.
“We know that walnut is a seasonal fruit, but it is usually available in the market all the year round.
“Studies have shown that this fruit can reduce many sicknesses in the body.
“Walnuts contain many variants of Vitamin B : Folate at 115 mcg, B6 at 600 mcg and thiamin at 400 mcg.
“Walnuts are also high in manganese, selenium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phytosterols. That is why they can cure many cardiovascular diseases.
“Walnuts may help to reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well.
“Walnuts also contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk of heart diseases due to multiple cardiac risk factors.
“Walnuts contain several unique and powerful antioxidants that are available in only a few commonly eaten foods.
“It also helps in weight control and offers support for brain development and type 2 diabetes.
