We know that diet is an extremely important part to staying healthy and managing our weight, but what we eat also has an effect of the hormones that our bodies produce. One of these hormones that can be affected by the food you eat is testosterone.
Testosterone is a hormone that helps to maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle, facial and body hair, red blood cell production, sex drive and sperm production. For these reasons, many men try to find ways to boost their testosterone levels., which can be done through exercise and natural nutrition.
Just because testosterone is considered the male hormone, doesn’t mean that it isn’t important for women as well. Both men and women produce testosterone, although in much different amounts.
Women produce a lower amount of testosterone in comparison to men, but it's used for many of the same reasons, such as maintaining bone and muscle mass, fat loss, and sex drive. While women are usually concerned with estrogen, testosterone production should not be forgotten.
Here are some foods that you can eat to naturally boost testosterone levels:
Oysters
We’ve all probably heard that oysters are an aphrodisiac and perhaps there is some truth in that. When it comes to food, oysters have the highest amount of zinc, a mineral that is proven to boost testosterone levels, which in turn, increases sex drive.
Eggs
Egg yolks, in particular, are a natural way for you to boost testosterone. Egg yolks contain vitamin D which is associated with higher levels of testosterone production.
Pomegranate
Through out history, the pomegranate has been associated with fertility. Studies now show that the pomegranate has a connection to sexual reproduction.
Pomegranate juice increases salivary levels of testosterone by an average of 24%, while also alleviating blood pressure and anxiety, and can positively effect mood.
Spinach
Remember the old cartoon Popeye and his claim, “I'm strong to the finish, cause I eat all my spinach”? As it turns out, Popeye was really onto something!
Spinach is now proven to not just promote strong muscles, but also naturally increase your testosterone levels due to its high levels of magnesium. This is especially true for people who consume magnesium and exercise.
Mushrooms
A study published by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that mushrooms, specifically Ganoderma lucidum — or reishi mushrooms — increases testosterone levels two fold, while also helping after physical activity.
Whether you're male or female, testosterone is an important hormone that your body produces, but can begin to decrease as you age.
Don’t lose out on the amazing affects that testosterone plays in your health and your sex drive. Enjoy the benefits of these testosterone-boosting foods by simply adding them into your diet where you can.
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