Nutritionists debunk claims eating excess Okra inhibits sperm production
Nutritionists have debunked the claim that eating excess Okra can inhibit sperm production in men and referred to it as one of the many myths rooted in culture and tradition.
According to them, such an assertion should be disregarded as it does not have any scientific backing.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the nutritionists spoke against the background of a study published in the Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, authored by Sadeeq Sheshe and his team, which claimed that okra is associated with sterility in humans, especially men due to the presence of gossypol in the seed.
The authors indicated that excess consumption of okra may have injurious effects on sperm parameters, testes weight, and testicular tissues, saying, “These detrimental effects may subsequently reduce male fertility or cause male infertility.”
According to WebMD, an online medical portal, gossypol is a pigment that is found in certain plants and is found in the seeds, stems, and roots.
It noted that it can be used as medicine and interferes with sperm development and function.
“In the cotton plant, it acts as a natural defensive chemical that can lead to infertility in insects.
“People most commonly use gossypol for birth control. It is also used for cancer, HIV/AIDS, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses,” WebMD stated.
Reacting to the study titled, ‘Antifertility Effect of Okra in Men,’ a professor of Human Nutrition and the Vice-Chancellor, Ave Maria University, Abuja, Ignatius Onimawo said that okra consumption by men would inhibit sperm production or lead to infertility.
“I have not heard that okra inhibits sperm production, rather what I have heard is that eating fresh okra is good for both men and women. So, it’s a lie to say that okra inhibits sperm.
“Okra contains antioxidants, which are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. So saying that Okra inhibits sperm is untrue. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables.
“So, let’s not help these people spread falsehood. This is how they said that plantain contains iron but the iron content in plantain, whether ripe or unripe is too low. We conducted the research ourselves and debunked it. The iron content of the plantain is very low.
“So let’s not help them to spread this rumour. Some people will use rats to conduct research and then narrow down their findings to humans. But human beings are more complex than rats. Rat studies are not enough to draw a conclusion on human beings for many reasons,” he said.
Onimawo noted that another major reason rat studies should not be used to draw conclusions on humans is that there are things that will work in humans but not in rats or any other experimental animal.
“For instance, the pain reliever for human beings, indosid, kills rats, but that is what humans use in the treatment of pain,” he added.
Sustaining this line of argument, the Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, James Oloyede said, “I eat okra a lot and I am sound and strong. Nothing is wrong with my sperm formation and I can have a baby anytime if I choose to.
“The study is a myth rooted in tradition and culture and should be disregarded and ignored. Okra cannot inhibit any sperm. Okra is the best soup I eat as a man. It is a myth and not scientific. There is no fact to back it up at all. In fact, Okra contains iron and zinc, which are even good for fertility.
“In any case, the study is linked to sperm inhibition. In science, you cannot overrule some Isolated research like this that has not been validated by another person. However, until it is validated, such a study will be taken with a pinch of salt.
“There is a difference between association and cause. When you say that something is associated with something, it does not mean the cause. There might be other compounding factors that are responsible for the outcome of the research which may not be part of what the researchers are looking for in that experiment.
“Yes, we use rats to mimic humans because they are mammals, but they are experimental rats. But the truth in science remains that when you say something is linked to or associated with something, it does not mean it is the cause.
“There may be other things that could be related to what they are looking for. In that case, this study is an isolated one, and unless it is validated by a series of serious research, it will not be accepted.
“As it is now, it is a hypothesis which has to be tested. Also, in science, we don’t throw away the findings because it will be a stepping stone for further research for other people to confirm or refute.”
