Chronic alcohol intake is known to interfere with hormone synthesis, as the liver prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over producing testosterone. Unfortunately, certain foods may do just the opposite, hindering hormone production. Making deliberate choices about what we consume can help ensure testosterone levels remain within an optimal range. The three-week duration may also have been too short to show the full long-term effects of processed versus unprocessed foods, the researchers noted. Ultra-processed foods make up about 55% of Americans’ daily calories. The researchers wrote that eating ultra-processed food is "detrimental for cardiometabolic and reproductive outcomes, regardless of excessive caloric intake." Everything starts with the foods you eat, though your diet isn't the only thing that could impact your testosterone levels. Fermented foods, such as yogurt and kimchi, can indirectly support testosterone levels by ensuring your gut microbiota is healthy. Adding the foods on this list to your diet won't magically fix low testosterone levels. Your diet is equally important, so make sure to include these top foods (as picked out by our CNET experts) to boost your testosterone levels effectively. A 2019 review found that men who drink alcohol heavily have lower testosterone levels. Higher amounts of SHBG cause lower levels of free testosterone in the body. SHBG transports testosterone and other hormones throughout your body. Walnuts and almonds seem to increase your production of a substance called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The research is mixed, and the debate on whether soy is healthy or unhealthy is very controversial. However, as with sugar, it’s not clear if body fat plays a mediating role. A review of studies looked at how diet can affect people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A 2019 study looked at men with hypogonadism, which means their testes don’t function properly. Most vegetable oils contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is likely that RBC functions (aggregation and deformability) may affect T levels through their ability to change shape and flow in microvessels while transporting oxygen and nutrients to Leydig’s cells of the testes. The literature shows that T supplementation caused erythrocytosis, an increase in the number of RBCs, via increased erythropoietin (EPO), but suppressed hepcidin synthesis, resulting in increased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit . Early studies found that patients with IR had increased RBC aggregation compared to controls , and improved glycemic controls via lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) decreased RBC aggregation in patients with type 2 diabetes . An animal study found that HFD-fed obese rats had increased RBC aggregation, but iron supplementation reduced HFD-induced RBC aggregation . Tomatoes are a healthy food choice regardless of whether you are undergoing testosterone treatment. A simple blood test can measure your testosterone levels. Tomatoes do not lower testosterone, so men with low testosterone can consume them as part of a healthy diet without concern. The human body has effective mechanisms for maintaining pH balance, and dietary acidity has minimal influence on hormonal regulation. The acidity of tomatoes has no proven direct impact on testosterone levels.
