Locations:
Search IconSearch

Study Suggests Bad Diet May Harm a Woman’s Fertility

But fertility experts say eating well is no ‘magic bullet’

Study Suggests Bad Diet May Harm a Woman’s Fertility

Can a bad diet hurt a woman’s chances of conceiving? A 2018 Australian study suggests that eating too much fast food and not enough fresh fruit will make it harder for women to get pregnant.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

“Interest in the impact of diet and environmental toxins on fertility is growing,” notes fertility specialist Rebecca Flyckt, MD, commenting on the study.

“I do believe diet can influence fertility. But the problem is separating diet out from factors such as smoking, obesity, poor sleep and lack of exercise — all of which can also influence fertility.”

Female fertility more common

Fifteen percent of all couples have trouble conceiving. In 70 to 80 percent of those cases, it’s because the woman has one of these issues:

How the study worked

In the study, midwives asked 5,628 women at their first post-delivery visit about their intake of fruit, leafy greens, fish and fast foods in the month before they conceived.

Then investigators looked at how long (with one year as the endpoint) it took the women to get pregnant.

The less often the women consumed fresh fruit, and the more often they consumed fast food, the longer it took them to conceive, they found.

Advertisement

Why fruit and not veggies?

The fact that eating leafy greens and fish had no impact on the time it took women to conceive in this study surprised Dr. Flyckt.

“I wouldn’t run out and buy a grocery cart full of only fresh fruit to improve your fertility,” she says. “Vegetables are good for you, too.”

Other studies have found the Mediterranean diet — which incorporates fresh veggies, fruit, healthy fats and whole grains — beneficial for fertility.

Study limitations

While this study showed a relationship between fast food, fresh fruit and fertility, it failed to show cause and effect.

That’s because the women were asked to look back and recall what they ate.

“Any study based on recall is subject to bias,” says Dr. Flyckt. “The women who conceived easily might assume, ‘It must have been my good diet,’ while those who struggled might assume, ‘It must have been my terrible diet.’”

To prove cause and effect, you’d need a prospective study measuring how changes in behavior influence fertility going forward, she says.

The researchers acknowledged that this study did not look at the impact of vegetables other than leafy greens, or the possibility of male infertility.

‘Good, clean living’ helps

Still, “this study reinforces what many fertility specialists see in clinical practice: that good, clean living translates to better outcomes,” says Dr. Flyckt.

For men and women who hope to conceive, she recommends:

  • Eating a healthy diet with fresh fruit and veggies
  • Avoiding fast food, processed foods, and sugary sweets and sodas
  • Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
  • Getting good and consistent sleep
  • Going outdoors and exercising your body

Begin making these lifestyle changes about three months before you start trying to conceive, she advises. “It takes 90 days for the egg that a woman ovulates in any given month to start the process of maturing,” explains Dr. Flyckt.

No magic bullet

This study is one more vote against fast food’s deleterious effects on the body, and one more vote in support of a healthy diet, she says. But it’s important to keep the influence of diet in perspective.

“Many of us working in the field wish there were a diet that could help our patients conceive. But going vegan, gluten-free or ketogenic, or giving up dairy, is not a magic bullet,” she says.

Many who struggle to conceive need treatment for real, identifiable medical problems.

“A healthy diet is a helpful addition to treatment. But we wouldn’t want patients to waste six or nine months trying out a diet if it means they’ll delay treatment,” says Dr. Flyckt.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

An intimate couple in the bedroom, near the bed
February 18, 2025/Women's Health
Birth Control Myths Debunked

No, you can’t prevent pregnancy by douching after sex, having sex standing up or having sex only at the ‘safe’ time

Concerned woman in bedroom with hairbrush full of hair
February 17, 2025/Women's Health
When To Worry About Hair Loss

Things like stress, heated styling and other health conditions may cause you to lose more hair than normal

Healthcare provider and receptionist in waiting room of medical office
February 10, 2025/Women's Health
Why You Might Be Asked To Return After a Mammogram

A second appointment is common, especially after your first mammogram and if you have dense breasts — but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong

Smiling person looking at their phone, sitting on couch
February 5, 2025/Women's Health
What Are Vaginal Detox Pearls?

These herbal pellets aren’t backed by science and can be harmful

Healthcare provider, with stethoscope around neck, holding clipboard, talking to person in their office
February 5, 2025/Women's Health
Do You Go Through Menopause After a Hysterectomy?

Depending on the type of surgery, a hysterectomy may or may not cause menopause symptoms

Hand holding red capsule, with other hand holding glass of water
January 28, 2025/Women's Health
Magnesium Supplements for Period Cramps: Do They Help?

The research isn’t clear, but it’s safe to try this essential mineral for relief

Bright red jelly beans in crystal container with lid on black background
January 23, 2025/Nutrition
Why Has Red Dye 3 Been Banned?

This synthetic food dye must be removed from all foods by 2027 and from all medications by 2028 for health concerns

An abdomen of a female, with douche bottle next to them
January 22, 2025/Women's Health
Why You Do Not Ever Need to Douche

Instead of protecting you from infections, douching your vagina can do the very opposite

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad