Testosterone Killing Foods

Males who ate a "Western" diet of red meat, fried foods, high fat, and processed snacks had the greatest negative impact on their testosterone and sperm count over a nine-year period, according to a 2020 study. In fact, they had up to 42 million fewer sperm counts than those who ate a more sensible diet of fish, chicken, vegetables, fruit, and water.

What you eat has an impact on your well being more than just your weight. Some foods, such as fish and vegetables, are better for the brain than others.

Dairy, soy, and certain fats are the most important ingredients to avoid. But the good news is that you can keep your T levels stable by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.

If you want to increase your T levels, you should avoid the meals we'll be discussing today. After all, low testosterone is a serious problem. You may experience a drop in sperm count, decreased energy, decreased bone and muscular strength, and decreased sex drive.

In no particular order, let's take a look at which foods are bad for testosterone levels in your body:

Foods that Kill Testosterone

We're going to address some of these because they're crucial constituents in several of the aforementioned testosterone-killing diets, but it's worth mentioning the fact that certain fats can be detrimental to your hormones.

Trans Fats/Processed Foods

Trans fats occur naturally in dairy and animal products. These types of fat, however, can also be found in fast food and processed foods. It is known as PHOs, or partially hydrogenated oils. However, in 2018, the FDA prohibited the addition of these artificial trans fats to our foods.

Even when the impact is at its peak, it can still be found in some processed foods. Food manufacturers can still list items with less than. 5 grams of trans fat per serving is the same as 0 grams. Trans fats are commonly found in fried foods.

Trans fats should be avoided because they increase diabetes risk and lower T levels. They also increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. For evidence, see this 2017 study of young Spanish men whose T levels were reduced overall as a result of trans fat consumption.

Fat

First, let's go over trans fats once more. Although trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy, it is abundant in processed, fried, and fast foods. Cardiovascular disease, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, lower HDL (good) cholesterol and higher LDL (bad) cholesterol, low T and decreased fertility are just a few of the health risks associated with these diets.

Then there are hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are used to enhance the taste, texture, and shelf-life of products. They also contain a lot of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). Despite being classified as a "healthy" fat, PUFAs should be consumed in moderation. Commercial vegetable oils, which are frequently refined blends of canola, coconut, maize, cottonseed, olive, palm, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils, are used in so many foods that it is easy to consume an excessive amount of PUFAs.

One study discovered a strong link between low testosterone levels in men and a diet high in polyunsaturated fats. In the meantime, a 2019 study discovered that PUFAs reduced T levels in overweight, hypogonadal men as early as one hour after ingestion, with effects lasting up to five hours.

Finally, omega-6 fatty acids are found in a variety of vegetable oils as well as nuts and seeds. When consumed in moderation, omega-6 is a relatively beneficial type of PUFA that can lower bad cholesterol, improve good cholesterol, and help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. Despite being consumed in much greater quantities, they are not as healthy as omega-3 fatty acids. And, contrary to popular belief, there can be too much of a good thing. According to research, eating too much omega-6 not only reduces testosterone production, but it also reduces testicular size and function and increases inflammation in the body.

Alcoholic Drink

A few drinks here and there will not give your hormones a hangover. However, if you drink beer, spirits, or wine on a regular basis, your testosterone levels may drop.

Excessive alcohol consumption, according to significant research, impairs the functionality of your pituitary gland, testes, and hypothalamus. GnRH cannot be produced by dairy, the pituitary gland cannot produce FSH and LH, and the testicles cannot produce testosterone. In other words, if your hormones are constantly overserved, they will become underserved. Worse, they foot the bill for everything.

In a recent study, healthy male participants were given ethanol — grain alcohol — equivalent to a pint of whiskey every day. After three days, the volunteers' T levels began to fall; after 30 days, their significantly low testosterone levels resembled those found in alcoholic men.

Aside from being a testosterone killer, excessive alcohol consumption can harm your health in a variety of ways, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Please consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation.

Sugar

It is possible that if you have a sweet tooth, your T levels will rise. Sugar is already linked to a variety of health issues, but the average American male consumes nearly 17 teaspoons of sugar per day, which is nearly double the recommended limit, according to the American Heart Association.

If you understand what sugar can do to your hormones, it may be a little easier to cut back on it. According to one study, men aged 19 to 74 had a 25% drop in testosterone levels after consuming sugar, with levels remaining low for up to two hours. Do you drink soda or energy drinks? According to the study, sugar-sweetened beverages were linked to low T levels in 59% of people.

Sugar is arguably the easiest and most difficult of all the testosterone-killing substances to eliminate from your diet.

Related Read: The best Foods Every man Should Eat

Diet Soda

Assume you've been advised to drink diet soda instead of regular soda to avoid health problems like obesity and others. Do you believe this will help you with your low libido as well? Saying goodbye to all types of soda is probably the best option. Aspartame is used as a low-calorie sweetener. The issue is that aspartame can reduce testosterone production while also affecting your overall health.

Pastries, bread, and desserts

According to one study, diets high in pastries, bread, and desserts are associated with lower testosterone levels in Taiwanese men.

Other factors included a high dairy intake, frequent dining out, and a lack of leafy dark greens.

Poor Quality Meat

Don't expect your testosterone levels to be higher than a vegetarian's simply because you consume meat on a regular basis. If you eat packaged meats, your T levels may be lower than you think. These meats have a lot of preservatives in them, as well as hormones and antibiotics. These additional ingredients disrupt the level of testosterone in your body, reducing your sex drive. Instead, opt for unprocessed meats.

Fruits with Edible Skins

Most local produce with edible skins in the United States contains large amounts of scandalous pesticides that frequently mimic estrogen. These pesticides can also be found in strawberries, cherries, kale, and peaches. Fruits containing these pesticides should probably be avoided.

Licorice Root

One study found that licorice root reduces T levels in women during menstruation. Animal studies show that licorice consumption lowers T levels as well.

Dairy Products

Think twice before reaching for that cheese platter or a tall glass of whole milk. Dairy products have been shown in several studies to lower testosterone levels. The majority of milk produced and sold commercially comes from pregnant female cows, and their milk is high in estrogens and progesterone. These hormones inhibit the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is required for men to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (LH). If your testes aren't released, they can't produce testosterone.

A 2010 study supports the negative relationship between dairy products and male hormones. It's also worth noting that 98 percent of soybean meal is used for animal feed, so estrogen levels in cow's milk are likely to be increased even more. If you must have milk, go for low fat or skim and make sure it's fortified with Vitamin D, which is good for your testosterone levels.

Soy

Yes, nutritional benefits can be obtained from soy products such as edamame, tofu, soy milk, tempeh, and soy protein powder. They're high in fiber and protein and low in cholesterol and lactose. Such benefits do not imply that you are consuming a testosterone-killing meal, though debate in the medical community rages on.

Soy contains a high concentration of phytoestrogen isoflavones, which are plant estrogen-like chemicals. These phytoestrogens can stimulate estrogen receptors in your body, but they can also suppress androgen receptor function, to which testosterone binds. If it is unable to bind to those receptors, your testosterone will not function properly, and you will as well.

Despite numerous studies, the verdict on soy remains ambiguous, with mixed results. Researchers discovered in a 2013 study that men who consumed 20 grams of soy protein isolate per day for two weeks had lower T levels than those who consumed whey protein isolate or a placebo. Meanwhile, a 2010 meta-analysis discovered no negative effects on male hormones.

If you're already worried about your hormone levels, it's best to think of soy as a potential testosterone killer and limit your intake until more conclusive evidence is available.

Beets

While eating these sweet vegetables before a workout can improve muscle function, they can have a negative impact on your sexual ability. Consuming these vegetables can help maintain healthy estrogen levels, but this nutritional property makes beets one of the worst foods for testosterone deficiency.

Microwave Popcorn

Dinner and a movie can result in some good sex. However, if you watch movies with microwave popcorn, you may be disappointed. Chemicals found in the bag's lining, such as perfluorooctanoic acid, can kill your testosterone, cause low sex drive, and, in the long run, cause prostate problems.

Some Types of Nuts

Almonds and walnuts may have an effect on testosterone levels. SHBG, or hormone-binding globulin, levels may rise as a result of these nuts. This is responsible for transporting hormones and testosterone throughout the body. If the levels of SHBG are too high, there will be less free testosterone.

More research is needed to determine whether men should avoid eating these nuts in order to keep their T levels normal. This theory is supported by research that is a little older and primarily focuses on women.

Women with PCOS (increased testosterone levels in women) were able to lower their T levels by eating almonds and walnuts as SHBG increased, according to one 2011 study.

Low-Carb Recipes

When it comes to food and testosterone boosting abilities, a well-balanced diet is essential. If you want to boost your testosterone levels, make sure your body gets a healthy amount of high-quality carbohydrates as well as adequate amounts of healthy fats. A low-quality carbohydrate meal allows the stress hormone cortisol to lower testosterone levels.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a contentious addition to this list. Although dark chocolate is thought to elicit feelings of love, studies have revealed that some of them suppress testosterone levels.

Flaxseed

There's no denying that flaxseed has health benefits such as increasing cholesterol levels, improving intestinal health, and lowering blood pressure. However, too much of it has the potential to turn it into a testosterone killer.

Flaxseed is an excellent source of lignans. Lignans are plant-based chemicals that have the ability to lower total and free T levels while also preventing testosterone from being converted into the beneficial androgen dihydrotestosterone. In one small study, researchers discovered significant reductions in total and free testosterone in 25 men with prostate cancer who followed a low-fat, flaxseed-supplemented diet.

Flaxseed contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. Though omega-3 is preferred over omega-6, some evidence suggests that consuming too much omega-3 may contribute to testosterone deficiency.

Vegetable Oil

Many of us use vegetable oil in our kitchens for a variety of purposes. Peanut, olive, corn, canola, soybean, sunflower, and safflower oils are used to make vegetable oils.

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids found in these oils have been linked to lower testosterone levels.

One study found that eating these fats significantly reduced serum testosterone levels in overweight men with hypogonadism (faulty tests).

Mint

Spearmint and peppermint have long been used as herbal remedies for stress, digestive issues, and sinus congestion. They can also significantly improve the freshness of your breath. Unfortunately, new research suggests that mint may be toxic to male hormones.

An animal study found that testosterone levels in rats given peppermint or spearmint tea on a regular basis decreased when compared to a control group given drinking water. Another study found that spearmint caused oxidative stress in rats, which resulted in lower testosterone levels.

More research, particularly with human male volunteers, is needed before establishing a conclusive link between mint and low testosterone. Meanwhile, why not incorporate ginger tea into your daily routine? (This is especially true given that ginger has been shown to boost testosterone production.)

Marijuana

Marijuana is already legal in many states in the United States, and many people in these states enjoy consuming it in their food. Whether you smoke marijuana or not, studies have shown that it will lower your testosterone levels for up to 24 hours.

Read also: Foods that Increase Testosterone

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading about these testosterone killing foods and their remedies. To be honest, it would be unrealistic to eliminate some of these foods, such as naturally occurring sugars found in fruits.

Moderation, as is always the case, is the key to success. You should also be proactive in your approach to maintaining testosterone levels.

Drink plenty of water, eat healthily, and get plenty of rest. Exercise on a regular basis is even more important.

However, the best strategy is to pay attention to what you eat and avoid foods that lower testosterone.

Also, take a look at Testogen. It's an all-natural supplement that helps men all over the world increase their T levels and is widely regarded as the best natural T-booster supplement.