The mineral zinc (symbol: Zn) is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body, after iron. It is important in immune function, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, cell division, and wound healing.
It is a powerful antioxidant that can slow down the aging process of muscles and skins.
This mineral is also necessary for the male reproductive system’s normal functioning. For this reason, males aged 14 years and above must take 11 milligrams of zinc daily through their diet or zinc supplements.
Semen is a viscous liquid released by the male reproductive system during ejaculation.
Sperm cells are produced in the testes or testicles (through a process called “spermatogenesis”) before they are stored in the epididymis. During sex, sperms pass through the vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and male urethra as they race towards the egg inside the female body.
But an ejaculate is not only made up of sperms; secretions from the prostate glands, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands are added to the sperm. All these components — sperm and secretions — make up the semen.
The nutritional content of semen is subjective and is largely affected by a man’s diet and age. While “semen calories” are stated to range from 5 to 25 calories per serving, in reality, a typical 3.4-ml ejaculate contains only less than 1 calorie.
Semen is 1% sperm and the rest of its nutritional composition is made up of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. One thing is certain though: semen contains a high level of zinc (around 3% of US RDA). This just shows that seminal zinc has a big part in sperm and semen production (source).
Quality sperm and increased volume of semen lead to increased potency and higher chances of a successful impregnation. It is not bad too to have a bigger load which could bring more pleasure from contractions you experience during sex. And zinc helps a lot in achieving these things.
Although zinc is present in most types of foods (like meat, milk, and fish), the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a third of the world’s population still suffers from zinc deficiency.
While many factors affecting sperm quality and semen consistency (like heredity and age) are out of your control, other means (like diet, exercise, and male vitamin supplements) can be easily done by you. As the ultimate semen booster, zinc can go a long way to improve male fertility.