Tomatoes boost sperm quality, study shows

A compound found in tomatoes could help tackle fertility problems in men, scientists say.

A dietary supplement containing lycopene – a pigment that gives tomatoes their red colour – has been shown to boost overall sperm quality with improvements to their size and shape and swimming capabilities.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield say their findings could help reduce the need for invasive fertility treatments in the future as more than 40 per cent of all infertility cases are due to abnormal sperm production or function.

But experts point out that the study, which only involved healthy participants, does not show that lycopene improves fertility and needs to be replicated with men with poor sperm quality.