We’re going to talk about foods that kill testosterone level. But before that, we must know what testosterone is and how it plays a role. Let’s see the description here.
If you feel something has been bothering your libido lately, for example, you are not passionate about your relationship with your partner, can’t get up every day to enjoy the beauty of a vacation with your family, can’t focus on work or don’t have the power and strength so you don’t have to work. enthusiasm for your day. Maybe this is an indication that you are in a low testosterone state or known as low T.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone here. According to Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD, The important thing you know is what foods have made you like this. Why is your testosterone low or dead? Is this the result of stress or your daily foods. Sometimes you often eat foods that are called as testosterone killer foods. Let’s see more about what these dangerous foods are.
There is a study conducted in 2020, where men who follow a western diet that likes to eat red meat, high-fat foods, fried foods, junk food, processed snacks, in the long run, have an adverse effect on their testosterone and sperm count. In fact, those who follow a diet like this note that their sperm count is 42 million and this is lower than those who follow a healthy diet like eating fish, chicken, vegetables, water and healthy fruits.
So, what are the foods that can kill testosterone. We have collected at least 10 types of foods that can kill testosterone and are often known as Low T foods.
What Foods Kill Testosterone?
1. Soy
Soybeans are one of them, indeed these are foods rich in protein, fiber, such as tempeh, tofu, edamame, soy milk. Even though it is a healthy food but the essence of testosterone, they are considered a testosterone killer food. So, consume these foods only in moderate amounts. But until now there is still debate among medical experts about this. But for me, we should just take the safe path, if you want to avoid testosterone-killing foods, then consume foods from soy in moderate amounts.
Also see: Is Soy Sauce Vegan? A Vegan Soy Sauce Guide
Why soy has a bad impact on testosterone or why is it considered a testosterone killer food?
Soy is a food product that is rich in phytoestrogen isoflavones, these are compounds similar to estrogens found in plants. Phytoestrogens compounds can trigger estrogen receptors in our bodies and this will reduce androgen receptor activity and in the end can affect your testosterone and this testosterone can’t work optimally or as it should.
As we mentioned above, in this matter there is still debate among medical experts. If you find your testosterone levels are low, then you should avoid or limit your intake of soy and its derivatives.
2. Dairy
Do you often drink milk or a plate of cheese or other dairy products. Think again carefully if you experience low testosterone levels.
Several studies have shown that milk is a testosterone-killing food. The main source of milk is pregnant cows. Remember that cow’s milk is high in estrogen and progesterone. Both types of these hormones affect your testosterone level. This hormone suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), this is a hormone that men need to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). If not removed then the testes can’t synthesize testosterone. (1)
3. Alcohol
It’s no secret that alcohol is a bad drink for health. In Islam this is called Arak or intoxicating drinks which are prohibited in Islam, and it turns out that the benefits of this prohibition are very large for the good of mankind. One of the bad effects of alcohol is can kill your testosterone level, making you less manly with your partner.
For those who like to drink intoxicating drinks such as beer, Arak and alcoholic wine, then their testosterone levels will definitely decrease.
In a study of a decision to say that alcohol is a testosterone-killing drink, where alcohol can inhibit the function of the hypothalamus, it is the testes. Just like when you consume milk, the hypothalamus can’t release GnRH, the pituitary gland can’t release FSH and LH, and in turn your testes can’t produce testosterone.
See too: Men with Low Testosterone Linked to More Severe COVID-19
Alcohol can not only kill your testosterone, but it can also have other bad effects on your health. For example, alcohol can worsen the function of your kidneys, liver, and heart. So, to avoid the bad effects of alcoholic beverages, you should limit them or avoid these drinks altogether.
4. Grilled food
Foods that kill testosterone include baked goods. Toast, baked cakes are certainly very tasty and many of us like it. But we need to know that grilled foods also sometimes contain trans fats and this is associated with decreased testosterone levels.
A 2017 study showed that those who ate a diet rich in trans fats could lower their testosterone by 15% than those who ate the least amount of trans fat.
Grilled foods like toast, toast, donuts etc. are strong suspects in lowering your health and keeping your testosterone levels low.
5. Sugar
Sugar is also a food that can kill testosterone. Consuming lots of sugar or sugar-rich foods will have a bad effect on health, not only increasing blood sugar but also lowering testosterone or even killing this male hormone.
According to the American Heart Association, the average American consumes up to 17 teaspoons of sugar per day. This amount has been over dosed even more than double the recommended dose.
In a study involving men aged 19 to 74 years, they experienced a 25% decrease in testosterone levels after consuming sugar. Are you a connoisseur of energy and sugar-rich foods? Researchers say that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with a 59% decrease in T hormone.
If we see in everyday life that sugar is a food that we consume very often and it is difficult to eliminate it in everyday life. Sugar is a testosterone-killing food, by knowing this fact it is hoped that we will be brave and can limit our daily sugar intake.
6. Mint
Spearmint and peppermint are herbal remedies for stress and related issues with the stomach, sinuses, and can help freshen your breath. Maybe this is the reason why many people like to chew mint candy.
But it is unfortunate in several studies showing that mint candy has a bad effect on male hormones, the bad effect is lowering testosterone levels in men.
See too: How to Increase Appetite- 13 Effective Ways Need to Try
7. Fats
Fat is another form of food that can harm a man’s testosterone levels. We’ve mentioned it in the point above because fats like trans fats are widely used in food.
Tran fat is a type of concern for health, not only can increase blood cholesterol levels but this type of fat can also lower or kill your testosterone.
Trans fats are sometimes found in milk and meat, in fried foods, instant foods, and we know that the health risks associated with trans fats are very clear and no secret, and now trans fats are mentioned as one of the testosterone-killing foods that you should be aware of.
Fats rich food also not good for uric acid sufferer, we have write about this is in elsholat.com in this snack for stomach acid page.
8. Nuts
Then in this list of bad foods for men’s health there are also certain nuts. sometimes certain nuts can have a bad effect on your health.
Nuts are a food rich in healthy fats but there are some studies showing that nuts are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. These include walnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, these are the types of foods that can cause oxidative stress to the tissues and they can actually lower your Testosterone level.
If you like snacking on nuts, then avoid the nuts we have mentioned above. Instead you can consume healthier nuts that do not cause a decrease in testosterone such as Brazil nuts, chestnuts, or Macadamia nuts.
9. Flaxseed
We know that flaxseed is a grain that provides many health benefits and is included in foods that are good for the heart. However, if you eat too much flaxseed, then these benefits will be lost and turned into a testosterone-killing food.
Also see: Ground Flaxseed vs Flaxseed Meal: What is The Differences
Flaxseeds are a great source of lignans, lignans are natural plant-based compounds in flaxseeds that can lower your T levels. It also prevents testosterone from being something good and useful.
In one study, about 25 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and they adapted a diet low in fat, supplemented with flaxseed. Later, researchers found that they experienced a severe drop in testosterone levels.
Flaxseed is a food rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and this is better than omega 6. Some studies say that consuming omega 3 in excess can cause low T hormone (testosterone). So, if you like to consume flaxseed, then consume it in moderation.
10. Licorice root
On the last list is licorice root as a food that can kill the male T hormone.
Licorice root is different from licorice, where licorice root is usually an ingredient used in herbs, teas, or as a sweetener in beverages. However, if we relate to men’s health, it seems that licoriceroot is not so good because it can kill the hormone testosterone.
There is a small study which states that men’s testosterone decreases by up to 26% when men consume only 7 grams of licorice root per day for one week. What if you take it longer?