Roger-Luc Chayer with Carle Jasmin (Image: AI – Gay Globe)
There are topics that are particularly sensitive for readers, especially when the reading is intended for adults, which is why there is a warning in the title. However, this subject is important, and it is imperative to discuss it to set the record straight regarding this new trend among young people, which consists of believing that the consumption of semen, or « drinking semen, » would have significant health benefits.
Composition of Semen
Human semen is a fluid primarily composed of spermatozoa, which represent about 1% of its total volume, and seminal fluid, which makes up 99%. Spermatozoa contain a head (holding the DNA), a midpiece rich in mitochondria, and a tail (flagellum) that enables them to move. One could almost think of spermatozoa as tiny animals!
The seminal fluid comes from the seminal vesicles, the prostate, and the bulbourethral glands (two small glands located at the base of the penis, near the urethra, that produce the famous pre-seminal fluid). It is rich in fructose, which serves as an energy source for spermatozoa, as well as proteins, enzymes, amino acids, and citric acid, which play various roles in coagulation, liquefaction, and pH regulation. Semen also contains minerals like zinc, which protect spermatozoa.
Marginal Benefits
According to some accounts from proponents of this strange belief, regular consumption of semen would have beneficial effects on human health and would contribute to the absorption of significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. But is this really the case?
Research from Columbia University (New York) indicates that there hasn’t been much research on the nutritional value of semen. However, using the components that make it up, researchers have been able to make some estimates. Some studies have shown that a 5-milliliter serving of semen contains about 0.5% of your daily protein intake. It also contains less than 0.1% of your daily value of minerals such as calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Surprisingly, it may contain up to 7.5% of your daily value of zinc.
Diseases Transmissible Through Semen
While healthy semen is not harmful or toxic to health, it is important to note that the same semen could cause serious health issues if it carries various diseases, viruses, or bacteria. According to Healthline.com, pure and infection-free semen may be safe; however, in very rare circumstances, some individuals may discover that they are allergic to semen. This condition is also known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP). Although rare, this sensitivity should be considered in case you experience an allergic reaction.
According to ChatGPT, diseases transmissible through semen primarily include sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These include HIV, which can lead to AIDS, as well as gonorrhea and chlamydia, which can cause urinary and reproductive infections. Infections caused by the hepatitis B and C viruses are also concerning, as they can lead to liver disease.
Other infections, such as syphilis and genital herpes, can also be transmitted through contact with semen or bodily fluids. Some viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), can be transmitted through semen and are known for their association with various types of cancer. Finally, diseases like cytomegalovirus, Mpox, and rubella can also be transmitted through semen, although this is less common.
Conclusion
The benefits of oral semen consumption compared to health risks are negligible. It is clear that semen itself does not provide anything significant that a regular diet would not already supply, while the health risks are numerous and, in some cases, deadly. Like any trend among young people, this too will eventually pass over time, hopefully without causing too many victims.