Can Ultra-Processed Food Affect Your Chances of Getting Pregnant?
Yes. A study of 831 women and 651 male partners found that men who ate more ultra-processed food had a higher risk of subfertility and took longer to conceive. In women, higher ultra-processed food intake was linked to slightly smaller embryos at seven weeks of pregnancy.
These findings come from a prospective cohort study that tracked couples from before conception through early pregnancy. The researchers looked at how much ultra-processed food each partner ate around the time of conception and then measured fertility outcomes and early embryo development. The results suggest that what both partners eat before pregnancy matters more than many people realize.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This study caught my attention because it looked at both partners, not just one, and found that ultra-processed food affects fertility and early pregnancy from two different angles. In men, higher intake was linked to subfertility and longer time to conception. In women, it was associated with smaller embryo size and yolk sac measurements at seven weeks, which are early indicators of how well the pregnancy is developing. Both findings matter. The male side tells us that what a man eats in the months before conception can influence whether pregnancy happens at all. The female side tells us that even once conception occurs, the mother’s diet quality around that time may shape how the embryo grows in those critical first weeks. This is observational research, so we cannot say for certain that ultra-processed food directly caused these outcomes. But the practical takeaway is straightforward: if you are planning a pregnancy, both partners cleaning up their diets and cutting back on packaged, heavily processed foods is one of the simplest things you can do to give yourselves the best chance.
What the Study Found
The study enrolled 831 women and 651 of their male partners as part of a larger pregnancy cohort in the Netherlands. Researchers assessed ultra-processed food consumption using detailed food questionnaires completed around the time of conception.
For men, the results were clear. Those who ate more ultra-processed food faced a greater risk of subfertility, meaning it took them longer than expected to achieve pregnancy with their partner. This association held up even after the researchers accounted for other factors like age, weight, and smoking.
For women, the picture was slightly different. Higher ultra-processed food intake was not consistently linked to subfertility risk. However, it was associated with slightly smaller embryonic crown-rump length and yolk sac size when measured at seven weeks of pregnancy. These are early markers of how well an embryo is growing, and even small differences at this stage can reflect the quality of the nutritional environment.
Why This Matters for Couples Trying to Conceive
Ultra-processed foods make up a large portion of the modern diet. These include items like instant noodles, packaged baked goods, soft drinks, processed meats, and many frozen meals. They tend to be high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, while being low in the vitamins and minerals that support reproductive health.
The fact that men’s diets showed a stronger link to subfertility is noteworthy. Sperm development takes about three months, so the foods a man eats in the weeks and months before conception can directly influence sperm quality. Meanwhile, the effects seen in women on early embryo size suggest that the nutritional environment around the egg and developing embryo is sensitive to diet quality, even before a woman knows she is pregnant.
Practical Takeaways
- If you and your partner are planning a pregnancy, both of you should try to reduce ultra-processed food intake in the months leading up to conception, not just during pregnancy itself.
- Replace packaged snacks and ready-made meals with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and home-cooked dishes whenever possible.
- Pay attention to food labels and look for items with shorter ingredient lists and fewer additives, since many foods that appear healthy are actually ultra-processed.
- Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a preconception eating plan that supports fertility for both partners.
Related Studies and Research
If you are interested in how diet affects health outcomes, these related articles explore the topic further:
- Ultra-processed foods linked to 47% higher heart disease risk shows the broader cardiovascular dangers of these foods.
- Sugary drinks linked to 34% higher anxiety risk in teens looks at how processed beverages affect mental health.
- Teen cannabis use linked to higher risk of psychotic and mood disorders explores another lifestyle factor that can shape long-term health.
- Purine-rich foods, dairy, and protein intake: how diet shapes gout risk in men examines the link between specific dietary patterns and disease risk in men.
FAQs
What counts as ultra-processed food?
Ultra-processed foods are products that go through extensive industrial processing and contain ingredients you would not find in a home kitchen. Examples include soft drinks, packaged cookies, flavored yogurts with added sugars, instant soups, and processed deli meats. The NOVA food classification system groups foods into four categories, and ultra-processed is the highest level. A good rule of thumb is to check the ingredient list: if it contains emulsifiers, artificial flavors, or high-fructose corn syrup, it is likely ultra-processed.
Does this mean women’s diets do not matter for fertility?
Not at all. This study found that women’s ultra-processed food intake was not strongly linked to subfertility specifically, but it was associated with smaller embryo measurements at seven weeks. Other research has shown that maternal diet quality affects many aspects of pregnancy and fetal development. The takeaway is that both partners’ diets matter, and this particular study highlighted a stronger fertility connection on the male side. Women should still prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods when trying to conceive.
How far in advance should couples change their diet before trying to conceive?
Sperm takes roughly 70 to 90 days to develop, so men should ideally improve their diet at least three months before trying to conceive. For women, egg maturation also takes several months, and the nutritional environment around the time of ovulation and implantation is critical. Starting dietary changes three to six months before conception gives both partners the best chance of creating a healthy foundation for pregnancy.
Bottom Line
This study adds to growing evidence that ultra-processed food can harm reproductive health. Men who ate more of these foods took longer to conceive, and women who consumed more had slightly smaller embryos in early pregnancy. For couples planning a family, cleaning up both partners’ diets before conception is a simple, practical step that may improve fertility and support a healthier start to pregnancy.
