Erasmus University Study Links Ultra-Processed Diets to Reduced Male Fertility and Impaired Early Embryonic Growth

New research connects high ultra-processed food intake in both parents to reduced male fertility and slower early embryonic growth during the first trimester.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 5:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

The Nutritional Impact of Convenience on Reproduction

The rapid global increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods is beginning to show measurable consequences on human reproductive success and early development. These dietary items, typically characterized by high levels of added sugars, trans fats, and industrial additives, now constitute up to 60 percent of daily caloric intake in many high-income nations. A new study from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam suggests that these convenience-driven diets may be fundamentally at odds with the biological requirements of conception and gestation.

Paternal Dietary Habits and the Risk of Subfertility

While historical research has focused primarily on maternal health, the current findings highlight a significant correlation between a father’s diet and the time required to achieve pregnancy. Men with a higher intake of ultra-processed products were found to have a greater risk of subfertility, defined as a failure to conceive within 12 months. According to the researchers, sperm may be particularly sensitive to the poor nutritional composition and chemical additives found in UPFs, which could explain why high consumption in men is linked to a longer duration before a successful pregnancy occurs.

Maternal Nutrition and the Early Embryonic Environment

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