Foods That Kill Testosterone

[razaul]

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Testosterone is an important hormone in the body. It affects several processes, such as muscle growth and bone health, and it helps to regulate moods and libido. When testosterone levels are low, it can have a major impact on your physical and mental performance. As such, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing all you can to keep your testosterone levels optimal. Today we're going to discuss 10 key foods that are known for lowering testosterone levels: processed meats and soy products, as well as canned fruits and vegetables.

One of the best ways to do this is by avoiding certain foods that may be lowering your testosterone levels. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common foods that kill testosterone.

10 Foods That Kill Testosterone - Nutritionist’s Guide​

1. High Fat Dairy:​

Dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream are often high in fat, which can lead to higher estrogen levels in men. Estrogen is the female sex hormone, and high levels of it can lead to lower testosterone production. If you’re looking to increase your testosterone levels naturally, then reducing your intake of dairy products is one way to do this.

2. Refined Carbs & Sugars: ​

Refined carbs and sugars are also bad for testosterone production due to their high glycemic index. The glycemic index measures how quickly carbohydrates are digested in the body; the higher the index, the more quickly they’re digested into glucose (or sugar). This causes a spike in insulin production which has been linked with lower testosterone levels due to its inhibitory effect on luteinizing hormone - an important precursor for testosterone production. So if you want to increase your natural testosterone levels then try cutting down on refined carbs and sugars as much as possible.

3. Alcohol: ​

Alcohol consumption has also been linked with lowered testosterone production due to its inhibitory effect on hormones such as GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). All of these hormones are necessary for proper testosterone production so if you want to ensure optimum levels then limiting alcohol consumption or avoiding it altogether is a good idea.

4. Processed Meats & Soy Products:​

Processed meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and deli meats contain nitrites and nitrates which have been linked to lower testosterone production. Additionally, soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and edamame contain phytoestrogens which interfere with the body's natural production of testosterone. Therefore, it's best to avoid these foods as much as possible if you want to keep your testosterone levels high.

5. Canned Fruits & Vegetables: ​

Canned fruits and vegetables tend to contain bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a chemical found in plastic containers that can disrupt the body's hormones when ingested. Studies have shown that BPA can significantly lower testosterone levels in men so it’s best to opt for fresh produce instead of canned whenever possible. Additionally, canned fruits often come in syrup or sugary juices which can spike blood sugar levels leading to decreased energy and a decrease in free-flowing hormones including testosterone.

6. Mint: ​

One food in particular that can lead to a decrease in testosterone production is mint. Mint contains phytochemistry compounds known as flavanols, which can disrupt androgen reception, leading to decreased testosterone production. Additionally, mint has been found to contain high levels of menthol and salicylic acid, both of which hurt the reproductive system by interfering with androgen levels. As such, men looking to maintain normal testosterone levels should avoid excessive consumption of foods containing mint.

7. Licorice Root: ​

Licorice root is a natural plant native and is grown in Asia. It has many documented health benefits such as calming the stomach and reducing inflammation, among many others. However, consuming even small amounts of foods that contain licorice root for an extended per period causes a decrease in testosterone levels due to the presence of glycyrrhizic acid found in licorice root hurting testosterone production. Therefore, it is important to minimize or completely avoid foods that contain licorice root when trying to maintain healthy testosterone levels.

8. Nuts: ​

Foods containing high amounts of phytic acid, such as peanuts, cashews, and pistachios, can cause an increase in the production of aromatase which is responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen. This effect has been observed both in animals and in humans and could be intensified if nuts are consumed with foods that contain artificial sweeteners or foods that have a lower pH such as yogurt, vinegar, or citrus fruit.

9. Sugar: ​

Consuming too much sugar will drastically lower testosterone levels, as it interferes with your hormones and disrupts the endocrine system. Sugar can also increase estrogen levels, further exacerbating the problem by neutralizing the masculinizing hormone that testosterone provides. Therefore, it's important to watch how much sugar you consume daily, enabling your body to produce healthy amounts of testosterone naturally.

10. Trans Fats: ​

Trans fats are found in processed foods such as chips and crackers and have been linked to decreased testosterone production. For this reason, bodybuilders should try to avoid processed foods as much as possible if they want healthy testosterone levels.

11. Flaxseeds: ​

Flaxseeds contain lignans which have been shown to reduce testosterone production in some men. To maintain healthy testosterone levels, bodybuilders should avoid eating flaxseeds or supplementing with flaxseed oil if possible.

The Bottom Line​

Many different types of food can reduce your natural testosterone levels but by following some basic guidelines such as reducing your intake of dairy products, refined carbs and sugars, and alcohol then you should be able to maintain healthy levels of this vital hormone in no time!
For bodybuilders who rely heavily on maintaining optimal amounts of testosterone for maximum muscle gains this information can be especially helpful when planning out their meals each day! By being aware of what foods affect their natural t-levels they will be able to adjust their diets accordingly to get maximum results from their training efforts!