Couples trying for a baby have been issued a stark warning by health experts this week, against a certain type of food ingredient.
The alert comes amid a global rise in infertility cases, with the World Health Organisation predicting that approximately 1 in 6 people of reproductive age nowadays will experience some form of fertility issue in their lifetimes.
The term describes a couple/individual's inability to conceive a child naturally, despite having unprotected sex on a regular basis.
It can be caused by a number of factors, with several different treatment options on offer for budding parents - including surgery, and IVF.
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According to a recent study in the latest Environmental Health Perspectives journal, however, one particularly common culinary ingredient is said to be linked numerous different causes of the condition.
This sweet treat has been associated with a reduction in sperm count, as well as general damage to testicular tissue in males.
The same ingredient also believe to disrupt hormonesand impact reproductive organs.
But what is it? Well, it's known in the scientific and cookery communities as sucralose.
More commonly, however, and specifically in the UK it's called 'sweetener'.
You know, the tiny tabs used to lighten up the tastes of tea and coffee? Yeah, those.
Despite largely considered a healthy alternative to spoonfuls of sugar, boasting fewer than less than 3 calories per teaspoon, as per Cleveland Clinic, recent studies have picked up on some dangers that sweeteners might pose.
The latest fertility-based investigation was conducted on a batch of male rats, all of which were administered doses over sucralose - the synthetic sweetener in question - over a period of two months.
The study found that prolonged exposure to the artificial ingredient lowered the sperm count within the animals, impacted the quality of the tissue within their testicles, and caused chaos with their reproductive hormones.
And while one could argue that the rat-orientated nature of the investigation doesn't actually have much of an impact on homo sapiens, experts in fertility fear that the results could be transferable.
Reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist and chief medical adviser Dr. Dan Nayot elaborated on the potential impact of the findings.
"Testosterone plays a critical role in sperm production, so lower levels can lead to reduced sperm quality and impaired fertility," he told the Post.
"Sperm production is a continuous process, with mature sperm developing over approximately two to three months.
"This process is highly sensitive to lifestyle factors."
The medic went on to elaborate on the other possible threats of fertility.
"Research consistently shows that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity — to name a few — impair sperm quality."
Nayot added: "In fact, sperm health is often considered a marker of overall wellness, underscoring the importance of prioritising your physical health."
Topics: Pregnancy, Women's Health, Health, Food and Drink, Life, Real Life, True Life
Rhianna Benson