Are Ultra-Processed Foods Quietly Fuelling Infertility?

When couples struggle to conceive, their first thoughts often turn to age, stress, or medical conditions. While these are certainly the primary factors that can lead to infertility, there are several other secondary factors that should be considered, diet being one of them. Usually, diet is mentioned in the context of managing weight or general health. Yet what we are increasingly learning now is that the kind of food people eat, and particularly the dominance of ultra-processed products, may be quietly affecting fertility far more than commonly realised. This article explores the potential link between an unhealthy diet and fertility.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Ultra-processed foods are those brightly packaged, ready-to-eat items we see in every supermarket aisle, such as instant noodles, sugary drinks, fried snacks, and frozen meals. They are convenient, affordable, and very tempting, but they are also high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, while being low in fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

Can Ultra Processed Foods Cause Infertility?

If eaten occasionally, they may not cause significant harm, but their regular consumption is catastrophic for our well-being. Families who consume packaged and processed foods regularly instead of fresh and home-cooked meals are more at risk.

Also Read: 9 Everyday Foods You Didn’t Realise Were Ultra-Processed

According to Dr Priyanka Yadav, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Jaipur, “For women, this shift in consuming ultra-processed food regularly has clear consequences. A diet heavy in processed foods worsens insulin resistance, a key driver of polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS is one of the most common causes of irregular ovulation, which can lead to infertility in women. Additionally, lack of nutrients also reduces egg quality and affects the uterine environment.”

Does ultra-processed food affect only women? The answer is NO. The picture is just as worrying for men, too.

A PMC study shows regular intake of processed meats, fried foods and sugary drinks are linked to lower sperm count, weaker motility and higher DNA damage. Men who are habitual of eating packaged and processed foods on a regular basis are more likely to face fertility problems as compared to men who consume fresh, home-cooked meals. In a nutshell, our poor dietary choices can directly reduce the likelihood of conception.

Also Read: Couple Avoids Ultra Processed Foods For 7 Days: Expert Shares Benefits Of Eating Whole Foods Cooked At Home

Other Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods

Other than fertility, there are other hidden risks of eating ultra processed foods too.

“Many of these products come in plastic packaging that can release chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormones vital for reproduction in both men and women,” shares Dr Yadav.

How To Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods:

Here are some tips that will help you minimise unhealthy eating and switch to a healthier diet:

Plan your meals: The best way to eat home-cooked meals without a fuss is meal planning. If possible, prepare a meal plan in advance to plan your meals and get all the ingredients required beforehand for your ease.

Choose whole foods: Foods that are minimally processed are whole foods. These include fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains, poultry, nuts and seeds.

Keep healthy snacks handy: Most of the unhealthy eating is a result of hunger pangs and food cravings. It is recommended that you keep some healthy snack options with you always. These may include fruits, dry fruits, roasted nuts & seeds, granola bars, roasted chana, to name a few.

Read labels: If you know what you are about to eat, it may become easier to make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Infertility is never caused by one factor alone, but ultra-processed foods are becoming an important piece of the puzzle. Replacing some of these with fresh grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins is a simple step that can strengthen the body’s natural ability to support new life.