Father’s Diet Too An Important Aspect For A Baby’s Health – Study

It isn't just the mother, but even the food habits of a father before conception plays an important role for the newborn's health.

According to a new research like the mother, diet of a father is also equally important for the baby's health. Researchers found that a low carbohydrate and high protein diet by the father will help the child's healthier once they are born.

For the study, researchers manipulated the nutrition of male fruit flies and observed a strong correlation between poor diet and poor survivorship among their offspring.

During the experiment, female fruit flies were fed the same diet while males had different ones consisting of yeast and sugars.

The insects could eat all they wanted from the mixture in the bottom of their glass beaker homes, but the quality of the food varied from low to high concentrations of proteins, carbohydrates and calories. After 17 days on the strict diet, the males were mated with two females.

The results found that embryos were more likely to survive if they had a father with a high protein and low carb diet.

Mortality was highest for offspring of males given a high carbohydrate, low protein diet. Researchers also found a connection between the male's body condition and his offspring's mortality.

Males with lower energy reserves measured in whole body fatty acids, glucose and protein were more likely to have fewer surviving offspring.

'There have been a fair number of studies that suggest male nutrition does affect reproductive capacity,' said Professor Joshua Benoit, assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati.

These findings of the study demonstrated the impact a male's health can also have on its offspring.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Also here are a few nutrients that would-be fathers need to eat. Check them out.

Vitamin D:
Having a sufficient level is vitamin D in the body for men is very important as this helps in having a good mobile sperm. Cereals and oily fish that are rich in vitamin D can be included in the diet of men.

Zinc & Selenium:
Having a good amount of zinc and selenium in the body is important for having a good sperm quality. Low levels of zinc and selenium have been linked to poor sperm quality and a reduction in the sperm's ability to move.