By Medinah Ahmed 

Claim: An X (twitter) user posted that eating unripe roasted plantain treats low sperm count and improves semen quality. 

Verdict 

 Insufficient evidence!  there isn’t enough research on humans to conclusively say it treats low sperm count and improves semen quality. 

 Full Text 

Musa paradisiaca (plantain) is a crop in the genus Musa and all members of the genus are indigenous to the tropical and subtropical countries. It has been cultivated for more than 4000 years, and its several varieties are staple food in the tropical regions of the world. Musa paradisiaca promotes healthy digestion, improves affective state, helps in the retention of and serves as good sources of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen, which build and regenerate tissues in the body, and is also a rich source of iron and vitamins, especially Vitamins C and E. 

Meanwhile, Low sperm count, also known as oligozoospermia, is a condition where a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. This can make it difficult to conceive a child.  You are considered to have a low sperm count if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or less than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate. 

Infertility in men which is often termed as low sperm count in men is a public health concern in many developing nations of the world due to its high prevalence and especially because of its serious social implications. Infertility has social, economic and personal effects, which go beyond childlessness, and women bear the major brunt of the burden.  It is a major cause of marital disharmony and separation, and personal misery in some other population groups.

Causes of low sperm count include Hormonal imbalances,  Infections (e.g., epididymitis, orchitis), Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), Undescended testicles, trauma or injury to the testicles, lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress). 

Overtime, there have been several discussions on how much impact diet has on our overall reproductive health, especially low sperm count that typically occurs in men. 

On March 24,2024, an X user, @HerbalistChief   posted that eating roasted plantain treats low sperm count. 

The post which had attached to it a picture of roast plantain was captioned : 

“Roasted plantain treats low sperm count and improves semen quality.  Men with watery semen should also eat it as often as possible to have a healthy and thicken semen. Nature heals.” 

As of August 23,2024, the post has had 170,000 views generating 3,000 likes and 729 reposts. The post has also generated some mixed reactions.

 An X user, selormAG @selormAG who believed the post said “No wonder these older men in our offices prefer Kofi borkeman to any meal as lunch, mind you they can afford all the pizza and assorted whatever rice you can imagine. They keep younger girlfriends too. Thank you very much for the reveal.” 

Another user, Ayodeji Akintunbi@the_tech_writer, also agrees to this post. He wrote: “Roasted unripe plantains are underrated. Thanks for showing the light”. 

Effiong @BLAQ_NEd , expressing skepticism posted: “Chief is it unripe or ripe plantain?”

Having observed the various reactions, Diamond FM decided to fact check it. 

Verification

There is no conclusive evidence that unripe roasted plantain treats low sperm count and improves semen quality as this claim depends on multiple factors that must be considered. 

A study conducted by Alabi AS, Omotoso GO, Enaibe BU, Akinola OB, Tagoe C. Beneficial effects of low dose Musa paradisiaca on the semen quality of male Wistar rats. Niger Med J 2013;54:92-5 conclusively said that the mature green fruit of Musa paradisiaca improves semen parameters of Wistar rats at a moderate dose, making it a possible remedy for male reproductive dysfunctions in which sperm cells have been adversely impaired. 

However it is essential to note that these studies were conducted in vitro or in animal models, and more human clinical trials are needed to confirm the effects. Unripe plantain is not a substitute for medical treatment if you have underlying fertility issues.

A balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular medical check-ups are essential for maintaining healthy sperm count and quality. 

Experts Opinion 

Corroborating the aforementioned findings, Dr Adeolu Olusodo, President of the Atayese Health Network said: 

“There is some evidence to suggest that unripe plantain may have a positive effect on sperm count and quality. Here are some possible reasons why:   Unripe plantain contains antioxidants like vitamin C and E, which can help protect sperm cells from damage caused by free radicals. Unripe plantain is also  rich in folate, a B vitamin that plays a crucial role in sperm production and quality. Unripe plantain is a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure, both of which are important for healthy sperm function. And lastly unripe plantain contains zinc, a mineral that supports sperm production, motility, and quality.”

He further stated while unripe plantain may have potential benefits for sperm count and quality, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans as studies were conducted in vitro or in animal models, and more human clinical trials are needed to confirm the effects. 

  Dr Ahmed Quazeem of Get Well Hospital said: 

 “ Yes, studies have shown that unripe plantain especially when it is made into flour form and consumed in a moderate amount can have an improvement on the testosterone level in some animal species. However there’s really no extensive studies done on humans yet.”

Corroborating research work, A nutritionist Rahmatullah Abioye of Federal Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Yaba, Lagos Nigeria   has also said: 

“yes,this claim is true because unripe plantain contains high amount of fiber, fiber controls blood sugar levels and in return, this helps to regulate a normal sperm count. However instead of roasting unripe plantain, it is advisable to boil for easier consumption. Unripe plantain is also packed with nutrients that increases libido and fertility.” 

Conclusion: 

In summary, while unripe plantain may have potential benefits for sperm count and quality, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on fertility and reproductive health. 

The researcher produced this fact check for Diamond 88.5 FM Nigeria. Fact check deals with verifying fake news, misinformation and disinformation in the news and on social media platforms that affect Nigerians.