Is there a link between dietary phytoestrogens and reproductive health in men? A meta‐analysis of data from the USA and China

The human health implications of exposure to environmental pollutants and food components (e.g. phytoestrogens) that mimic the female hormone 17β‐estradiol (xenoestrogens) are a subject of significant debate. In this study, we use published data on human dietary phytoestrogen intake and sperm concen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of food science & technology 2016-01, Vol.51 (1), p.23-29
Main Authors: Lim, David, Shaw, Ian C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemical composition
China
environmental exposure
estradiol
Estrogens
females
flavonoids
food safety
Food science
Foods
Health care
hormones
Human
human health
humans
Intakes
males
men
Mens health
meta-analysis
natural food toxicants
Phytochemicals
Phytoestrogens
plant estrogens
pollutants
Reproductive health
Reproductive systems
safety
Sperm
sperm concentration
spermatozoa
toxicology
Trends
xenoestrogens
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Summary:The human health implications of exposure to environmental pollutants and food components (e.g. phytoestrogens) that mimic the female hormone 17β‐estradiol (xenoestrogens) are a subject of significant debate. In this study, we use published data on human dietary phytoestrogen intake and sperm concentrations in the USA and China to assess effects on sperm concentration as a marker of male reproductive health. Comparison of the phytoestrogen intake and sperm concentration trends shows that in the USA phytoestrogen intake has increased from 0.8 mg day⁻¹ in 1993 to 13.7 mg day⁻¹ in 2005 and sperm concentration is trending down (not statistically significant), whereas in China phytoestrogen intake has decreased from 64.7 mg day⁻¹ in 1991 to 15.6 mg day⁻¹ in 2008, and the sperm concentration has increased from 55 × 10⁶ mL⁻¹ in 1999 to 74 × 10⁶ mL⁻¹ in 2008. We present this as evidence that phytoestrogen intake via food might, at least in part, be responsible for sperm concentration trends.
ISSN:0950-5423
1365-2621
DOI:10.1111/ijfs.12931