If you consume soy on a regular basis, then you may want to take a look at this new study coming out of Harvard School of Medical Health and published in Human Reproduction.

According to researchers, men who regularly consume Soy foods & Soy Isoflavones are more likely to suffer from a lower sperm count. Obese & overweight men are at the highest risks of decreased sperm concentration, as a result of soy consumption.

Previous studies have confirmed a decreased fertility in animals with a high consumption of soy, but conclusive data for humans is hard to come by. Therefore, researchers studied the diet of 99 men who went to Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center between the year 2000 & 2006. They looked at how much soy they consumed within a three month period, while simultaneously taking sperm samples.

They concluded that the men who ate soy foods in abundance, did indeed have a lower sperm concentration, approximately 41 million sperm/ml less when compared to those who did not consume any soy foods.

Researchers admit that their findings are preliminary; they are not completely sure why men who consumed soy foods had a lower sperm count. They suspect that, because soy foods have a high level of phytoestrogen, it increases the production of estrogen within their body, and may ultimately affect their overall sperm production.

Does Soy Affect Obese Men?

It’s already a known fact that obese men naturally have higher estrogen levels. Researchers from this new study are looking to find out if the consumption of soy foods may increase the estrogen level even more, perhaps even affecting there chances of reproduction.

It must be noted that there are many critics of this new study. Many people state that generations upon generations of Asian men have consumed soy foods, without experiencing any fertility problems. Not to mention, this new study even states that soy foods do not appear to affect the mobility or overall quality of the sperm in question.

My Thoughts on Unfermented Soy Foods

It’s clear that more research is needed, before any definitive conclusion is made, but I have said for years now that unfermented soy foods should always be looked at with caution. Any long-term benefits of soy are still unknown. And, soy is high in phytic acid, which can block the absorption of important minerals in certain people.

While I agree that this study is incomplete and should be looked at with caution, it does confirm my thoughts that soy isn’t as healthy as some people like to believe.

Related Articles About Soy Foods:

• Possible Toxins from Soy Foods
• Soy Foods: Too Good To Be True
• The Truth About Unfermented Soy & Its Harmful Effects