Another study also found that spearmint lowered testosterone levels in rats with PCOS. An older 2010 study involving 42 women showed that drinking spearmint herbal tea twice daily over a 30-day period significantly lowered testosterone levels. The study found that flaxseed seemed to lower her testosterone levels. Houman explained that cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts can indirectly support healthier testosterone balance by lowering estrogen levels. Those with less vitamin D tend to have lower testosterone levels than those with more vitamin D. Reducing oxidative stress benefits testosterone bioactivity because inflammation and oxidative stress can lower testosterone levels. Research suggests that magnesium deficiency may also play a role in low testosterone levels. The nutritional content of certain foods can give you a leg up when it comes to testosterone, especially if you're deficient in that particular nutrient. Many studies suggest that some foods can naturally boost testosterone, such as garlic, shellfish, fatty fish, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, cocoa, avocados, specific herbs, egg yolks, and olive oil. In the current study, insulin, %TS, and RBC aggregation were identified as independent factors that predicted total T levels, with %TS being positively correlated, and insulin and RBC aggregation being negatively correlated. We also verified the relationship between dietary pattern scores and the selected responses (total T, insulin, %TS, and RBC aggregation). A study on adolescent male rats in 2015 reported that a Western-style diet increased fasting insulin levels and induced IR . To assess the bioavailable testosterone, the FAI was calculated using the formula (TT × 100)/SHBG. Based on the above classification, specific food items, identified by their respective food codes and SR codes, have been classified into UPFs and 18 subgroups (Supplementary Table S1). Dietary intake was reported as the average intake from both 24-h recalls when data from 2 days were available and as data from day 1 otherwise. Finally, a total of 3,534 participants were included in the data analysis (Figure 1). The population of this cross-sectional study was derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2016 cycle. The AMPM was designed to provide an efficient and accurate means of collecting intakes for large-scale national surveys. Particularly concerning is the increase in the proportion of energy intake from UPFs among U.S. youths, which increased from 61.4 to 67.0% between 1999 and 2018 (3). Although males produce more testosterone, it is also an important hormone for females. The food an individual eats can affect many aspects of health. Some studies have explored the potential effects of phytoestrogens (plant-based compounds with estrogen-like activity) on hormone levels. However, even with a very high tomato intake, there’s no direct mechanism by which tomatoes would lower testosterone. While tomatoes offer numerous health benefits, they are just one component of a healthy diet. Don't cut out all fats from your diet or you may see a hormone level drop. Reeder explained that gut health is gaining more attention for its role in hormone regulation. Testosterone (T) is the most important male sex hormone in men and plays key roles in reproductive and sexual functions . Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm that improvement in dietary pattern can improve T levels and reduce hypogonadism. Substantial evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between nutrient metabolism (e.g., glucose, lipids, and iron) and T levels in men; however, T-related dietary patterns remain unclear. The type of fat a person eats may also affect their testosterone levels and function. Animal studies also show that licorice supplementation can lower testosterone levels. A 2018 study references that licorice root can reduce testosterone in healthy women during menstrual cycles.