A new study has just shown that high protein and low carbohydrate diets can lower testosterone levels.
Many regimes exist. In general, athletes prefer a food with more protein, also called high protein diet. The latter is generally composed of meat, fish, eggs and protein powder. However, this would not be without risk for testosterone. Indeed, a recent study published in the magazine Nutrition and Health on March 7, 2022 just revealed that high-protein diets could lower testosterone levels in men by 37%. This would thus imply an increase in the risk of infertility as well as a decrease in the number of spermatozoa.
A high protein diet impacts testosterone levels
To reach this conclusion, a group of researchers from the University of Worcester in England (UK) analyzed 27 studies involving more than 300 men. For information, low levels of testosterones are directly linked to a higher risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes or even heart disease.Alzheimer.
The study first shows that people with a moderate protein and low carbohydrate diets had no change in their testosterone. However, people on a high-protein, low-carb diet had testosterone levels that “ significantly decreased (…) at rest and after exercise “. Therefore, the researchers suggest that people consuming such diets should be cautious about adverse endocrine effects ».
In detail, the work shows that a sharp decrease in testosterone levels was observed in volunteers consuming more than 35% protein. The latter fell by 37%. In order to avoid this situation, the study’s lead author Joseph Whittaker came to recommend that these people ” limit their protein intake to no more than 25% “. In addition to this finding, the researchers pointed out that low-carb diets increased the hormone cortisol. As a reminder, high levels impair the immune system and can make the body more vulnerable to viral infections.