X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Eating fast food could cause infertility in men, new study says

2 min read

If you’re trying to conceive, maybe you should think twice before buying yourself a Big Mac. A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has found a link between fast food consumption and phthalates, a chemical compound that’s been linked with diabetes, cancer, and—wait for it—infertility in men.

Eating fast food could cause infertility in men

Photo: Pixabay

As part of the National Health Nutrition Survey, 8,877 participants were asked by the researchers from George Washington University about their fast food consumption in the past 24 hours. The results showed that people who reported consuming fast food registered 23.8% and 39% higher levels of phthalates.

It’s not just your burger that’s the problem. It’s how it’s prepared and packaged.

Phthalates are man-made industrial chemicals commonly used in plastics and soaps. How did they get in your fast food? More contact with plastic machinery increases the likelihood of your food getting contaminated with phthalates.

It’s time to change your eating habits! Click to read more about the study.

Watch out for grains

The study also revealed that fast food was not the only source of phthalates; the researchers found that grain and meat items also contributed to phthalate exposure. This is perhaps because grain products are often found on the exterior of foods like pizza or burritos, and thus come in greater contact with packaging materials.

Eating fast food could cause infertility in men

Photo: Pexels

Does this mean that if you bring your own plate and cutlery to Taco Bell, you’re good to go? Dr Ami Zota, the lead author of the study, noted that fast food in general should be avoided for one’s own health:

“People concerned about this issue can’t go wrong by eating more fruits and vegetables and less fast food.

A diet filled with whole foods offers a variety of health benefits that go far beyond the question of phthalates.”

READ: 6 Ways to organically improve your fertility

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cristina Morales

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle Section
  • /
  • Eating fast food could cause infertility in men, new study says
Share:
  • Paris Hilton is now a mom to a baby boy via surrogacy

    Paris Hilton is now a mom to a baby boy via surrogacy

  • Ipon Challenge: Kaya mo ring gawing Php68,900 ang Php50 mo!

    Ipon Challenge: Kaya mo ring gawing Php68,900 ang Php50 mo!

  • Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
    Partner Stories

    Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days

  • Paris Hilton is now a mom to a baby boy via surrogacy

    Paris Hilton is now a mom to a baby boy via surrogacy

  • Ipon Challenge: Kaya mo ring gawing Php68,900 ang Php50 mo!

    Ipon Challenge: Kaya mo ring gawing Php68,900 ang Php50 mo!

  • Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
    Partner Stories

    Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.