Admittedly, sweets have never been the manliest of foods. But what an American study has found is alarming for real men!
Sweets are not for men? The prejudice seems to be confirmed medically. An American study at the Massachusetts General Clinic in Boston found that sugar has a direct negative effect on the concentration of the sex hormone testosterone in men’s bloodstream.
The hormone is responsible for muscle building, general drive, and sexual desire. In the scientific experiment, blood was drawn from 74 men and they were then given a glucose solution. Shortly thereafter, blood was drawn again and compared with the previous samples.
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25 percent less testosterone
In the test candidates, the testosterone concentration in the blood fell by 25 percent and remained below normal for up to two hours after ingesting the sugar solution. It was irrelevant whether the test subjects were healthy or suffered from diabetes.
In 15 percent of the test persons, the value even fell into a medically alarmingly low range at times. “Pathologically low testosterone levels are becoming more and more common.
This is probably because more and more people are overweight and the population is getting older,” says Dr. Frances Hayes from St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, co-author of the study.
So: Those who want to play it safe with their potency will refrain from snacking in the future.
Ways to boost testosterone levels among men
Testosterone is a hormone that is mainly produced in the testicles of men and in the ovaries of women. It is responsible for many functions, like muscle mass and body fat levels, sex drive, and sperm production.
These two methods have been proven by studies to be effective in boosting testosterone levels among men:
- Getting enough sleep (7-9 hours)
- Exercise regularly (3-5 times a week)
There are many ways to boost testosterone levels among men. One way is to get more sleep. Another way is to exercise more often or increase the intensity of their workouts. However, it is not that easy for every man to increase their testosterone level.
There are many factors that can affect the amount of testosterone production in a man. For example, men with diabetes have lower testosterone levels compared to healthy men. Men with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have low levels of testosterone too. It is important for men over 40 to maintain an optimal testosterone level.
Studies By Twin Cities said that Testosterone replacement is recommended if a man has symptoms of low testosterone, such as decreased physical and sexual function, lack of energy, fatigue and mood changes.