Can Honey Boost Sperm Count?

Male infertility is when a man has a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant. It usually depends on the quality of his sperm cells.

Sometimes, infertility is linked to sexual function, and other times it could be linked to semen quality. Here are some examples of each:

Libido. Otherwise known as sex drive, libido describes a person’s desire to have sex. Foods or supplements that claim to increase libido are called aphrodisiacs.

Erectile dysfunction. Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to develop or maintain an erection.

Sperm count. An important aspect of semen quality is the number or concentration of sperm cells in a given amount of semen.

Sperm motility. An essential function of healthy sperm cells is their ability to swim. Sperm motility is measured as the percentage of moving sperm cells in a sample of semen.

Testosterone levels. Low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, may be responsible for infertility in some men.

What is Honey?

Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance made by honey bees and some related insects, such as stingless bees. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants or from secretions of other insects, by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation. People throughout the world have hailed the health benefits of honey for thousands of years.

Honey is available raw or pasteurized and in a variety of color grades. There are about 320 different varieties of honey, which vary in color, odor and flavor. Honey contains mostly sugar, as well as a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants. On average, it contains about 80% sugar. People remove honey from the hive and bottle it directly, so it may also contain trace amounts of yeast, wax, and pollen.

Some studies have found that consuming raw honey may help with seasonal allergies, and others have concluded that honey can help wounds heal. In addition to its use as a natural sweetener, honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. People commonly use honey orally to treat coughs and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing.

Can Honey Boost Sperm Count?

Yes, according to studies, honey can improve serum testosterone concentration, sperm count and fertility. Sperm production is actually stimulated by hormones other than testosterone but testosterone is required for sperm production.

Honey contains healthful compounds, such as antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals such as zinc. Observational studies show that low zinc status or deficiency is associated with low testosterone levels, poor sperm quality, and an increased risk of male infertility. Also, taking zinc rich foods like honey increases testosterone levels and sperm count in those who are low in zinc.

Honey is regarded as a natural fertility booster for generations, so much so that the word “honeymoon” is thought to have come from the age-old tradition of newlyweds eating a spoonful of honey each night in order to speed up the baby-making process.

Are there any possible side effects of using honey to boost sperm production?

Honey is likely safe to boost sperm count. However, some men are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen. Although rare, bee pollen allergies can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, adverse reactions. Signs and symptoms of a reaction include: