Doc sounds okra warning

Prominent physician Dr Alfred Dawes has called attention - albeit with a touch of humour - about the risks of men eating too much okra.

Dawes asserts that contrary to popular belief that okra contributes to a man's sexual prowess and increases their baby-making chances, the medical evidence suggests that the vegetable can affect male fertility.

"If yuh woman serving it up constantly, use sleep mark death," quipped Dawes, the head of Windsor Wellness Centre, while speaking with THE STAR yesterday. The warning comes as he sheds light on the surprising connection between okra and sterility in men.

"Okra doesn't boost sperm. In fact, it's most likely to decrease sperm production," Dawes explained. "But it takes a lot of the seeds to have that effect. Still, it's working in the opposite direction from what the men want. It gonna mash up the whole culture!" he added with a laugh.

Dawes said that gossypol, a compound in okra seeds, inhibits sperm production and motility. According to Dawes, it blocks enzymes critical for sperm energy metabolism, essentially throwing a wrench into the reproductive works.

The doctor, however, emphasised that there are better ways to "build up your back" than drowning yourself in okra punch and consuming an endless diet of the slimy produce.

"We are going about building up your back the wrong way as it relates to the strength of erection and your performance. What men need to eat are food that boost testosterone. Low testosterone is an undiagnosed condition in Jamaica and a lot of it has to do with the highly processed food that we eat. We need more natural food but the biggest booster of testosterone is resistance exercise such as weight lifting," he said.

Amusement and concern

Dawes took his message to TikTok recently, and the reactions from women were as wild as they were revealing. Some claimed to have found the "perfect contraception" for their partners, sparking a mix of amusement and concern from the doctor.

"It is hilarious and disturbing at the same time. There are women who are saying that they found the solution for 'such man'. They said they are going to feed 'such man' okra morning, noon and night.

"The question is why do women not want to have any more kids or any at all. Why is it so common? That, in itself, is something, especially when we are talking about declining birth rate. What is the problem with 'such man' that you don't want any children with him so you gonna feed him okra? I have recently spoken with a female who said it was a discussion in her girls' group that they just cannot find suitable men to have children with," Dawes added.