A study published in the Oxford Academic Human Reproduction journal found a correlation between ultra-processed food consumption and fertility issues. The research observed 831 women and 651 male partners from pre-conception to their child's early years between 2017 and 2021. Future fathers with higher ultra-processed food consumption had a greater risk of lower fertility, with surveyed men on average having a 37% higher risk of subfertility, meaning it took longer for their partner to become pregnant.
On average, women reported 22% of their diet contained ultra-processed foods, while men reported 25%, and more than one in ten couples in the study had an intake of more than 30% ultra-processed foods. Women with higher ultra-processed food intake had slightly smaller yolk sac size at 7 weeks pregnant and smaller embryonic growth, though effects weakened in later ultrasounds. A separate study found that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a 4% higher risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate, in men over 45.
That research compared diets of 77,951 British men over 45 during a 10-year period, with 7,387 diagnosed with the condition. Ultra-processed foods are linked to at least 32 serious health conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and cancer. These products include mass-produced bread, cereals, crisps, sweets, ready meals, soft drinks, and packaged breads and buns that contain more additives than natural ingredients and are often high in sugar, fat, and salt.