Environmental Toxins: High Beef Consumption Can Affect Sons' Fertility

Over a decade ago, researchers from Copenhagen University determined that sperm counts were falling in the West and blamed the findings on exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals. American researchers have now released data that support the idea that women who eat a lot of beef while pregnant are more likely to have sons who suffer from poor sperm quality.

Eating beef could threaten sons' fertility

The study looked at men who were born between the years of 1949 and 1983 and found that those whose mothers had eaten seven beef meals a week had a 24 percent lower sperm count than those whose mothers who ate less beef. Additionally, research suggests that the sons of high beef consumers have a three times greater rate of sub-fertile sperm classification than those whose mothers had not eaten as much beef. A British expert said that the findings are "alarming" and another said that "don't mess with growth promoters in the obvious take home message."