Can going vegan decrease testosterone levels in males

Certain foods, including soy, dairy, and certain fats, may decrease testosterone levels in the body.

However, one can increase testosterone levels naturally by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.

The food a person eats can affect many aspects of their health, not just their waistline. Food fuels cells and may affect some other parts of the body, including hormones, such as testosterone.

Eating too much of certain foods may throw the body's hormones out of balance or make it more difficult for the body to use hormones properly.

Foods that may lower testosterone

Testosterone is one of the main sex hormones in the body. Although men produce more testosterone, it is also an important hormone for women. Testosterone increases muscle mass, bone mass, body hair and affects reproduction.

Normally, the body does an effective job of regulating hormones and keeping testosterone levels where they should be.

However, certain foods may interfere with this process by unbalancing hormone levels. People who are concerned about their testosterone levels may want to avoid the following foods.

1. Soy products

Soy foods, such as tofu, edamame, and soy protein, contain phytoestrogens. These compounds are physically similar to estrogen in the body and have a similar function.

A study in the German Journal of Medical Science points out that although scientists have done a lot of research on soy, they still don't fully understand it.

The article notes that many studies have found no association between consumption of soy products and changes in serum testosterone or estrogen levels. However, another study found that breast tenderness and estrogen concentrations returned to normal after a man stopped consuming soy.

The researchers suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy may affect the body without changing hormone levels, which can cause symptoms of high estrogen.

Researchers need to conduct more high-quality research in men and women to identify the exact effects of soy on the body.

2. dairy products

Many people looking to increase their testosterone levels may avoid dairy products. This may be because some cow's milk contains synthetic or natural hormones that may affect a person's testosterone levels.

Also, animal feed may contain soy, which can increase estrogen levels in cow's milk.

3. alcohol

Anyone concerned about their testosterone levels may want to stop or limit their alcohol intake. This may be especially true for men.

While some studies show evidence that small amounts of alcohol increase testosterone levels in men, this is usually not the case. As a study published in the Current Review of Drug Abuse notes, heavy drinking, or regular drinking over long periods of time, lowers testosterone in men.

4. mint

Studies show that peppermint may lower testosterone levels.

Spearmint and spearmint may be a soothing tea, but the menthol in peppermint may lower testosterone levels.

According to a study article in the Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, scientists treated female mice with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with peppermint essential oil to test its effects on the disorder. The researchers noted that peppermint essential oil reduced testosterone levels in these mice.

A review posted to BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine also noted that there is some high-quality evidence that peppermint reduces testosterone levels in women with PCOS. However, there is not enough high-quality evidence about the effectiveness of this herb in general.

Most research on this topic focuses on animal models or women. Future studies should examine the effects of peppermint in both sexes to get a better overall picture.

5. Bread, sweets and desserts

A study in the journal Nutrients linked a diet high in bread, pastries and other desserts to lower testosterone levels in Taiwanese men. Additional factors included high dairy consumption, eating out regularly, and not eating enough dark green vegetables.

According to the paper, these men also had decreased muscle mass and increased body fat.

6. licorice root

A study in Integrative Medicine Research notes that licorice root can lower testosterone in healthy women during menstrual cycles. Animal studies also show that licorice supplementation can lower testosterone levels.

Ideally, any future studies would examine licorice's effects on both sexes to better understand how this herb works in general.

7. Special fats

The type of fat a person eats may also affect their testosterone levels and performance. A study in the Asian Journal of Andrology looked at the dietary patterns of healthy young men in terms of hormone levels and testicular function.

Their research showed that eating trans fats may reduce testosterone levels in the body. They also found that too much omega-6 fatty acids reduced testicular size and function.

However, eating plenty of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase testicular size and improve performance. The researchers called for more studies to confirm their findings, but people concerned about their testosterone levels may want to avoid trans fats and limit omega-6 fats.