Buy organically grown fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants, and eat contaminant-free, responsibly harvested fish.

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While it’s difficult to completely dodge all those chemicals, men who are concerned about their fertility can shift to a more sperm-friendly diet:

• Antioxidants are key. In Mendiola’s study, as well as a few others, diets high in antioxidants have been associated with improved sperm quality. Boost your intake of high-antioxidant foods like lettuce (any kind but iceberg), tomatoes, greens, blueberries, apricots, and peaches.

• Go organic. Yes, we’ve said it a thousand times, but as Mendiola states, pesticides aren’t just hurting the planet, they could be killing your swimmers. Chemically farmed peaches and lettuce (and other soft-skinned fruits and vegetables) have some of the highest pesticide residues, so don’t negate the positive benefits of antioxidants by also consuming high levels of pesticides.

• Boost your good fish intake. Eating seafood not only improves your sperm quality, but other studies have found that it also cuts your risk for prostate cancer later in life. Search Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch to find your best choices for fish that aren’t overfished but are low in sperm-damaging contaminants like PCBs.