It is no secret that testosterone is a hormone that greatly impacts the health of men. Maintaining a healthy level of testosterone is proven to help men gain muscle mass, improve sexual function, boost strength, and even improve some aspects of mental health. With the importance that this hormone has in the lives of men, it is no secret that making sure it is at optimal levels is usually a great concern for men of all ages. It is necessary to monitor testosterone levels in any way possible. Like any other hormone in the body, testosterone is impacted by many factors, including diet and exercise. With that being said, are there foods that lower testosterone? Happy Urology, and our Miami urologists, explain in the following article. 

Does Mint Lower Testosterone? 

One of the most surprising foods that could lower testosterone levels is mint. While mint has some positive properties – primarily in promoting digestion and stomach health – it has been shown to cause a dip in testosterone levels. The most common culprits of this are spearmint and peppermint, which are both directly related to the mint family of herbs. Drinking peppermint tea has been linked to altering the hormone levels in rats in a control group and also altering the hormone levels in 42 women.1 This could be alarming to some men because many different foods have different amounts and types of mint leaves in them. 

Does Soy Protein Lower Testosterone? 

Soy protein is another popular food that has been shown to lower testosterone levels in men. Soy is in many popular foods, including edamame, tofu, soy milk, and miso soup. Concretely, one study showed that soy isolate decreased the levels of testosterone in men when consumed for 54 days straight.2 This is mainly because soy-based foods are high in phytoestrogens. These are plant-based substances that mimic the effects of estrogen on the body. The more estrogen there is in the body, the less testosterone there will be present. However, the one caveat is that soy-based foods will have a much less impact than consuming purely isolated soy. 

Do Nuts Lower Testosterone? 

As surprising as it may be, nuts lower testosterone levels even though they are present in many foods. Nuts have other important nutrients, which include fiber, heart-healthy fats, and other minerals like folic acid and magnesium. While there are some studies that corroborate the impact of nuts on testosterone levels, it is still not understood how certain kinds of nuts impact testosterone levels in men. However, it is noted that since nuts are high in polyunsaturated fats, it is safe to assume that they are associated with decreased testosterone levels. Lastly, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is found in many different kinds of nuts and binds to testosterone, which leads to a decrease in free testosterone in the body. 

Does Alcohol Lower Testosterone? 

The last kind of food that our South Florida urology practice would like to focus on is alcohol. Alcohol consumed in moderation is not known to interfere with the testosterone levels in the blood. In fact, consuming small amounts of alcohol is proven to have some health benefits. However, it is generally understood that alcohol, when consumed excessively, is one of the foods that lower testosterone in men. 

As many studies as there are pointing to alcohol’s detrimental effects on testosterone, there are also many of them that point out that there is minimal impact on a man’s testosterone levels. However, our Miami Penuma surgery and Florida Penuma surgery practice recommend that you limit your alcohol consumption. Further, limiting your alcohol consumption goes a long way in making sure that you avoid kidney stones and dehydration. Making sure that your water intake is on par is a great way to ensure that your urological health is on point. 

More About Happy Urology

Happy Urology is a medical practice that specializes in helping our customers with any urological issues they may have. Our doctor is dedicated to helping our customers with our full suite of services and expertise. Our entire collection of services includes: 

• Erectile dysfunction treatment
• Kidney stones
• Men’s health
• Pelvic floor reconstruction
• Prostate cancer
• Prostate exams 
• Silicone penile implants
• Vasectomies
• And much more

Contact our medical practice today to learn more from our experts.