Eating melon seeds can improve sperm quality and help protect against prostate diseases, according to chef Gleb Astafyev speaking on Russian television.
Astafyev urged viewers not to throw away the seeds when preparing the seasonal fruit, recommending instead that they be dried before consumption.
The chef delivered the dietary advice during an episode of the health broadcast O Samom Glavnom on the state television channel Rossiya 1. The episode was subsequently made available for online streaming on the media platform Smotrim.
Nutritional benefits for male health
According to Astafyev, melon seeds contain active substances that enhance sperm quality and assist in preventing diseases of the prostate gland. Melons are widely cultivated and eaten across Russia during the late summer and early autumn harvest, but consumers typically discard the seed core when preparing the fruit.
Prostate wellness and sperm vitality are central topics in male reproductive health. Sperm quality refers to measures of motility, count, and overall cellular health, while the prostate gland plays a crucial role in producing reproductive fluids. Drying seeds is a standard preparation technique that preserves their nutrient content while making them easier to digest.
The television program O Samom Glavnom is a longstanding daily broadcast focusing on medicine, nutrition, and home wellness. Its broadcast home, Rossiya 1, is one of Russia's main national television networks, operated by the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. The network distributes its programming digitally through the Smotrim platform.
Previous health recommendations on television
Astafyev's comments add to a growing list of dietary suggestions featured on Russian health broadcasts targeting male wellness. Earlier on the channel, nutritionist Oleg Krivchenkov highlighted pumpkin seeds as another food that benefits prostate health, though he warned viewers that they should not be consumed in excessive amounts.
Additionally, cardiologist German Gandelman previously told viewers that hot peppers can improve male potency. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a natural compound known in medical science for its effects on blood flow and vascular circulation, while edible seeds are valued in dietetics for supplying essential minerals such as zinc and healthy fatty acids.
