A recent governmental study from Berkeley revealed that older men whose diet includes micronutrients have improved sperm DNA quality! Strangely, this did not hold true for younger men.

The study showed that Vitamin C intake in men over 44 showed the most benefit. The same was true for Vitamin E, zinc and folate.
This is an important finding as we know that advancing age in men causes sperm to deteriorate at the DNA level. So may be the addition of these nutrients to one’s diet might hold the clock back in men desiring to have children. This can be achieved through supplements or by improving diet.

The scientists studied a group of about 80 men between 20 and 80 years old with an average age of 44. They were recruited several years ago as part of the California Age and Genetic Effects on Sperm Study. Each man who participated in the study filled out a 100-item questionnaire that estimated their average daily vitamin intake, both from food and supplements. Many participants, even those who reported to be healthy, consumed much less than the recommended dietary allowance for many of the micronutrients.
The scientists analyzed the data several ways and came up with the same result each time: A diet high in antioxidants and micronutrients may decrease the risk of producing sperm with DNA damage, especially in older men.

It is a know fact that antioxidants are like soldier molecules that patrol the body and scavenge on harmful molecules that can cause DNA damage. Many fruit and vegetables are rich in these antioxidants.

In theory, a healthy dose of these nutrients might therefore improve fertility or may be even the genetic health of an offspring. However, further studies are needed before we can come close to reaching such a conclusion.