THURSDAY, September 18, (News Locale) - Drinking alcohol in heavy amounts has always been perceived as a fertility deterrent in males. However a new study is now indicating consuming heavy amounts of coffee may also be detrimental to male fertility.

The high amounts of estrogen-like chemicals found in caffeinated drinks like coffee, red wine and beer are believed to be associated with low sperm count, which is linked to male infertility, British researchers revealed.

The researchers at the Medical Research Council in Cambridge also report roasted nuts like Brazil nuts, peanuts and brown ale compound the damage on male fertility when consumed along with the aforementioned drinks.

The researchers analyzed dozens of food items using a sensitive chemical technique and measured the levels of estrogen-like substances including isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are naturally occurring plant materials called phytoestrogens, which mimic the female sex hormone estrogen.

It is believed that estrogen interferes with other hormonal signals and thus leads to a lowered fertility in males.

Lead researcher Gunter Kuhnle said many foods and beverages were found to contain high levels of phytoestrogens than previously thought. The details of the study appear in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

While alcohol consumption is known to be dangerous to male fertility, this is the first study that has linked coffee and nuts to infertility. Phytoestrogens per se are thought to be powerful plant-based hormones that can overcome the side effects of menopause and improve health. In some instances they are thought to prevent cancer as well.

However as the above study indicates, they may pose a danger to sperm count and lower male fertility.