# Emerging Trends in Research on Food Compounds and Women's Fertility: A Systematic Review
###### Abstract  
Pro-healthy behaviours, including the diet, are significant factors in maintaining women's fertility health. However, to improve the patient's nutrition management, it is important to seek food-derived bioactive compounds to support fertility treatment. This review analysed recent studies of food compounds related to fertility, using databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct as well as PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews) to ensure complete and transparent reporting of systematic reviews. This review lists foods associated with a higher birth rate, using original papers from the last five years (2015). The analysis included the impact of food compounds such as caffeine, fatty acids, folates and vitamin D, as well as the intake of fish, whole grains, dairy and soya. In addition, dietary patterns and total diet composition supporting women's fertility were also analysed. The results will encourage further research on the relationship between food components and fertility. female infertility; nutrient; vitamin D; folates; soy; antioxidants; minerals; vitamins; food research trends; environmental impact +
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negatively influence the fertility health of women [4], were found to affect the occupational health of hairlessers [5]. Some primary factors, such as excess body weight or underweight, also decrease the rate of fertility [6; 7]. Body saturation with vitamin D was suggested to have a beneficial influence on fertility [8; 9; 10; 11; 12]. The recommendations by the Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine, advise females to follow a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and decrease caffeine intake to a moderate level [13]. It is also advisable for women to supplement folate (400 ug/day) to decrease the chance of neural tube defects [13]. However, there is some evidence showing that some food ingredients and specific dietary patterns in women may be positively associated with pregnancy and live birth rates [14; 15; 16]. One of the food ingredients widely discussed in the context of fertility is sugar. It was shown that its presence in the diet reduces nutritional density and worsens its nutritional quality [17]. The possible mechanism between sugar-sweetened beverages and fertility was explained by increased insulin resistance, leading to oxidative stress. This relation may deleteriously affect semen quality and ovulatory function. Such a mechanism was hypothesised by [PERSON], et al. [18], who studied a group of nearly five thousand women and found that fertility and the amount of sugar consumed in sugar-sweetened beverages (particularly sodas and energy drinks) was associated with lower fecundability [18]. A large group of compounds that are still being studied are bioactive compounds in food. Their roles in oxidative stress and fertility have been presented in many studies [19; 20; 21; 22], including several studies on female animal models and bioactive food compounds [23; 24; 25]. Their role is hypothesised to diminish the effect on the endocrine system of disruptive chemicals. For example, there is some evidence that animals treated with BPA (Bisphenol A), after maternal supplementation of folate and a high phytoestrogen diet, influence oocyte growth and foetal methylation of DNA [26; 27]. Other studies have highlighted that a low dose (but not a high dose) of ginger powder, improved the follicle counts of rats [23]. Therefore, it is not clear what dose will be as effective on humans. Additionally, human fertility is affected by complex and multiple factors which could be difficult to expose animals to. The time of preconception may motivate couples to adopt healthier behaviours and to seek information on factors improving fertility. Even though medical consultation is still the most common source for seeking advice for fertility, social media and the internet also play significant roles [28].