Herbal alcoholic beverages are sperm-damaging – UCC research

According to a study undertaken by experts at the University of Cape Coast's Department of Pharmacology, herb-based alcoholic beverages do not improve or benefit male reproductive function.

They are "quite hazardous to sperms," according to the study.

Researchers led by Dr. Robert Peter Biney discovered the harmful effects of three Ghanaian herb-based alcoholic beverages on rat sperms in their paper "Effects of three herb-based alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on sperm characteristics and reproductive hormones in rats," which was published in the Scientific African journal in 2020.

Although alcohol has been shown to significantly influence fertility, most marketing for alcoholic beverages in Ghana lures consumers with herbal ingredients purported to boost sexual function.

The study intended to examine the effects of selected alcoholic beverages manufactured in Ghana on male reproductive function using rats because little is known about the impact of herbal components of these alcoholic beverages on fertility.

After giving the herbal alcoholic beverages to laboratory rats for 21 days, the scientists took blood samples, removed their testes, and analyzed them.

The foundation herbs in these beverages were Khaya senegalensis or 'Kuntunkuri,' Xylopia aethiopica or 'hentai,' Anthocleista Nobilis, or 'Bontodee,' and ginger.

These herbs are said to offer a variety of therapeutic effects. Xylopia aethiopica has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities, while Khaya Senegalese possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-plasmodial properties.

Zingiber officinale contains anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombosis properties, whereas Anthocleista Nobilis possesses wound healing and anti-plasmodial properties.

However, it has yet to be established whether these medicinal plants can have a therapeutic effect when employed as a base for alcoholic beverages.

However, it has yet to be established whether these medicinal plants can have a therapeutic effect when employed as a base for alcoholic beverages.

They discovered that the selected preparations lowered sperm count and motility when compared to individuals who were merely administered alcohol at the end of the research.

Surprisingly, the drinks containing 'Kuntunkuri' were the most harmful to sperm.

They found that herb-based beverages containing K. senegalensis caused a decrease in spermatogenic cells, as well as a loss of seminiferous tubule architecture, which could lead to male infertility.