The Surprising Relationship Between Protein and Testosterone

Diet plays a role in testosterone concentrations. So, it is not surprising that there is a relationship between protein and testosterone. But what that relationship is might surprise you.

In men, low testosterone is associated, obviously, with sexual dysfunction, but it is also associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

A new study has found that the type of protein you eat can have a significant effect on the amount of testosterone you have.

The study found that men who ate more animal protein had significantly lower concentrations of testosterone. The men who ate the most had testosterone concentrations 1.2 nmol/L lower than the men who ate the least.

Conversely, eating plant protein increased testosterone. Men who ate the most plant protein had 1.1 nmol/L higher testosterone concentrations than the men who ate the least.

This study suggests that animal protein lowers testosterone while plant protein raises it. Surprise!

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2026;77(6):576–588.

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