Testosterone is a vital sex hormone that affects muscle strength, facial hair growth and genital development. In an effort to avoid substances that can reduce androgen levels, some men, especially athletes, avoid caffeine, but it appears that it may actually increase levels of this hormone. Recently, several studies have been conducted that show how coffee affects testosterone in men.
Testosterone value
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone produced by the testes, but it is also produced in a woman's body in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Men's bodies produce about 7 mg of testosterone, which is more than 20 times the amount in women.
The hormone helps increase bone density, improve muscle mass and strength, aid in red blood cell production, and play a role in sperm production and sex drive. A decrease in sex hormone levels with age can lead to a decrease in sports and sexual activity.
Opinion of domestic media and doctors
We often hear that coffee has a negative effect on androgens, and there are articles where it is called a “sperm killer.” Men are intimidated that their favorite drink can cause them to develop breasts and lose their libido. But in reality this is not the case at all. In very large quantities, caffeine can increase the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, which reduces the production of the sex hormone, but few people consume pure concentrate in such quantities. This is just a theory or laboratory tests that for some reason are perceived as a real fact.
A common cup of coffee a day for many will not only not reduce, but will also increase the amount of sex hormones, which has been confirmed by foreign studies on groups of volunteers.
Androgens and sport
Caffeine taken during exercise has a striking effect on androgen production.
Study #1
Professional rugby players were given caffeine supplements in doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg an hour before lifting weights. Results published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in April 2008 showed that strength training without a stimulant caused a 15% increase in male sex hormone concentrations, while strength training with a dose of 800 mg resulted in a 15% increase. 21%.
On average, taking 4 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight increased testosterone by more than 10%.
Study #2
This study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, examined the effects of chewing coffee extract gum on fatigue and hormonal response in cyclists.
Volunteers were given either 240 mg of caffeine gum or a coffee-flavored placebo. The performance of those who took the stimulant improved by 5.4% and fatigue was delayed. But more importantly, testosterone increased by 12%.
Caffeine benefits athletes by increasing androgen production, helping to train more actively and perform more strength exercises. Even with increased cortisol levels, it works!
Coffee and potency
The fact that impaired potency is associated with the development of various inflammatory or infectious diseases has been known for a long time.
However, modern scientists have proven that the production of the male hormone testosterone is influenced by:
- Lifestyle;
- addiction to nicotine, alcohol and drugs;
- excessive physical activity;
- psycho-emotional state;
- quality and characteristics of food products included in the daily diet.
Not only the quality of food is important, but also its quantity. How much coffee a man drinks during the day has a positive or negative effect not only on the functioning of the heart and the condition of blood vessels. The endocrine and genitourinary systems are affected by caffeine.
After conducting an experiment, medical scientists were convinced that among representatives of the stronger sex between the ages of 20 and 45, testosterone production noticeably decreases if a man drinks more than 3 cups of hot, strong (especially natural, freshly ground) coffee every day. Testosterone is the main male hormone responsible for libido, physical fitness, and vascular condition. It somehow affects the level of blood pressure, the quality of blood circulation, the viability of sperm and a man’s ability to lead an active sex life.
A decrease in the level of the hormone causes weakening of erection and deterioration of potency, loss of sperm quality and a drop (complete absence) of libido (sexual desire). Depending on the characteristics of the body and the general health of a man, a habitual cup of coffee can increase or significantly reduce the production of testosterone, intensify or destroy the sexual activity of a young (especially older) man.
Caffeine contained in coffee beans stimulates the production of androgens, causing increased physical and sexual activity. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage, exceeding which causes the opposite effect. Increased endurance and lack of fatigue were detected in those representatives of the stronger sex who took no more than 200 mg of the substance. According to laboratory studies, testosterone levels increased by 11-12% in these men.
Androgens and reproductive function
Coffee can affect sperm quality and quantity, both of which are controlled by androgens. One study, published in a 2008 issue of Human Reproduction, looked at the adult sons of mothers who took part in a long-term study and consumed caffeine during pregnancy. Mothers who drank four to seven cups a day gave birth to sons with little to moderate androgen levels. But adult sons who drank more coffee had testosterone levels 14 percent higher than those with low intake of the stimulant, although there were no significant differences in sperm quality or volume.
According to research, if a mother consumes a lot of caffeine during pregnancy, the amount of androgens in the child will be low to average. But those children who grow up and drink a lot of coffee raise their levels of this hormone.
How does the body react to drink abuse?
Drink abuse not only negatively affects hormonal levels, but can also lead to subsequent dilemmas:
- a persistent increase in blood pressure, and this is the risk of developing hypertension in guys over 40-50 years old,
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (especially with acquired diseases of the stomach, intestinal tract, liver),
- mood changes, depression, apathy,
- insomnia,
- caffeine addiction,
- risk of developing osteoporosis,
- migraine, short-term migraine,
- difficulties with sugar and insulin levels,
- reproductive difficulties,
- skin aging,
- adrenal fatigue
- disruption of the liver and bile ducts.
Please note that this is only a part of the possible violations and anomalies!
Watch a video about the dangers of coffee if you abuse this drink:
The influence of natural and decaffeinated coffee
And another study: the Nutrition Journal looked at the effect of coffee on the hormonal system. The project involved 42 overweight people. Some of the group took natural black coffee, some took decaf, and others did not drink coffee at all. Among men, consuming caffeinated coffee increased total testosterone; decaf had no effect, so the results were comparable to the group that did not drink caffeinated drinks at all. However, the groups were quite small, so it is difficult to project the results onto mass indicators.
Contraindications for drinking coffee
The main problem with the connection between coffee and testosterone is twofold. The first is that caffeine is addictive. And the body that is accustomed to constant stimulation becomes very weak from the lack of this substance. This has a very bad effect on a man's sex drive and, ultimately, on his testosterone levels. Therefore, drinking coffee is strictly contraindicated.
The second nuance is purely honey, contraindications to drinking the drink:
- The drink should not be consumed by hypertensive patients, otherwise it will become impossible to keep blood pressure under control. And this condition can cause a lot of unsafe anomalies, right up to a heart attack.
- The effect of energy drinks on the heart rate is clear - it accelerates significantly. And if a person has tachycardia, then all caffeine-containing drinks are strictly contraindicated for him.
- The drink can affect the level of hormones in the blood. But for this you need to drink only coffee instead of water, which is quite difficult to do.
- You cannot combine the drink with medications of various types, as this can distort their effect on the body. That is why, during any drug therapy, coffee is excluded from the patient’s diet.
So, we can come to the conclusion that the substance caffeine itself is not unsafe and is often even useful, but only for completely healthy guys who do not suffer from caffeine addiction.
testosterone
Don’t think that the more of your favorite espresso you drink, the more androgens will be produced. In this case, everything is somewhat the opposite. Large amounts of caffeine produce large amounts of cortisol, and when there is too much of it, you will not be able to rest properly. Deep sleep helps to produce all the hormones, so it is not recommended to drink a stimulating drink after 17-18 hours, and drink only 2-3 cups per day. This way you will not harm yourself, and you will be able to increase the production of a hormone important for the male body.
The main characteristics of coffee and their effects on the body
Unlike most other drinks, which a person consumes virtually once a day, coffee has a noticeable effect on well-being almost immediately after its consumption. That’s why many people prefer natural or instant coffee in order to improve their physical and mental state and get pleasant emotions from the very process of enjoying the drink.
How does coffee affect a man’s body? First, this drink has the following effects:
- speeds up metabolism,
- helps get rid of drowsiness,
- increases intellectual and physical performance,
- promotes the best assimilation of the latest information,
- almost always increases blood pressure, therefore it can be useful for hypotensive patients,
- helps get rid of migraines caused by low blood pressure,
- helps tame appetite and promotes quick satiety. Coffee itself contains relatively few calories, especially if you drink it with little or no sugar,
- is a diuretic, therefore it can help remove excess water from the body,
- helps get rid of lethargy,
- will have a positive effect on the condition of people suffering from bronchial asthma, because it improves the functioning of the brain centers responsible for respiratory function,
- reduces the possibility of developing certain malignant diseases,
- helps saturate the body with suitable vitamins and microelements. Thus, coffee contains calcium and iron, sodium and phosphorus, also vitamin PP and a number of other necessary substances,
- restores the activity of the intestinal tract.
Natural coffee is more beneficial. In an instant drink, the content of necessary substances is slightly lower, and it also has an invigorating effect on the body.
Conclusions:
- Coffee actually increases testosterone levels when consumed regularly.
- The hormone helps muscles grow more actively, controls facial hair growth and affects male strength. Many athletes drink caffeine before training, and male sex hormones help them exercise more actively, increase strength and endurance.
- Only natural coffee matters; decaf has no noticeable effect.
- Very large amounts of caffeine increase cortisol levels and decrease testosterone levels, so you should not drink more than 4-5 cups of your favorite drink per day.
Guys' health and coffee
Coffee has long been an integral part of our daily diet. This drink is not only tasty, but also necessary. It is valued for its beautiful tonic properties, increases efficiency, reduces drowsiness, and imparts vigor.
But there are also negative features of this drink:
- Coffee has a bad effect on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and genitourinary systems.
- Abuse of this drink reduces the body's protective functions, negatively affects male potency, and increases the risk of genitourinary diseases.
- In addition, scientists have proven that such a habit increases the risk of hormonal disorders, namely a slowdown in the production of testosterone in a man’s body.
Possible toxicity of coffee for guys
In some cases, drinking an invigorating drink can do more harm than good. In general, negative consequences usually appear when excess caffeine enters the body, and periodic consumption of the drink may be unsafe only in certain cases.
The toxicity of instant coffee for guys (in general, like a natural drink) may include the following:
- Coffee may increase blood pressure in people with hypertension. It is better for them to refrain from consuming the invigorating drink or drink it in a small dose. At the same time, with hypotension, caffeine will help increase blood pressure to normal levels and get rid of the accompanying helplessness and loss of strength. If a man has normal blood pressure, then after consuming this drink in a reasonable amount it practically does not increase,
- caffeine can increase heart rate, so clients suffering from tachycardia should avoid stimulating drinks,
- Because coffee beans contain a certain amount of natural substances similar to female hormones - estrogens, coffee abuse can lead to hormonal imbalance in men. Male coffee drinkers may develop female-type obesity, and the mammary glands may enlarge. In general, to achieve such an effect, you really need to drink liters of coffee, and with moderate consumption, male fertility, on the contrary, increases,
- Coffee can lead to migraines if you drink this drink against a background of high blood pressure or under the influence of severe stress. With hypotension, on the contrary, a cup of coffee can help get rid of migraines.
So, the usefulness and toxicity of coffee for guys depend on the frequency of consumption and strength of this drink, as well as on the general health of the man.
