Oral Testofen, L-Citrulline, Resveratrol, and Caffeine Supplement Drink Improves Sexual Function in Men with Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study

We retrieved 28 papers reporting observational information on coffee/caffeine intake and reproductive outcomes. While there’s no definitive answer, it’s clear that coffee doesn’t drastically alter testosterone levels in any long-term capacity. While moderate coffee consumption has its set of health benefits, drinking it specifically for testosterone boosting purposes might not be the best approach. Oral L-citrulline supplementation increases the serum level of L-arginine and nitric oxide production . We speculated that the results of the present study showed greater effect than those of this previous study because the present study included men with low libido. However, the present study revealed reproducible results of the use of resveratrol and L-citrulline for ED patients with PDE5i. Our previous study using L-citrulline and transresveratrol revealed significant improvements in the Sexual Health Inventory for Men-total score, confidence in and firmness of erection, and intercourse satisfaction.

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Many studies, however, have demonstrated that mouse soleus muscle placed in a muscle rig with a circulating solution containing 70 µM of caffeine (near-maximum, non-toxic plasma concentration attainable in humans) increases its power output during 60 min of electrical stimulation 61,62,63. Together, the results of these studies using electrical stimulation techniques argue in favor of a potential effect of caffeine on skeletal muscles, but its action seems to be more evident in studies in exercised/fatigued 58,59,61,62,63 than fresh muscles 60,64. However, a recent study failed to find an effect of caffeine ingestion on evoked forces in fresh quadricep muscles of healthy men . Despite the scarcity of studies investigating the effect of caffeine on Q˙L, there is accumulating evidence using single-leg knee extensor exercise that caffeine attenuates locomotor muscle fatigue development 55,56. Research shows that men who like spicy foods are proven to have higher levels of testosterone (60). In addition, ashwagandha can reduce your cortisol levels by as much as 30 percent, leading to a further boost in your testosterone (58). It improves brain function, lowers blood sugar levels, lowers cortisol levels, and decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression. The plots of the effect of coffee consumption GWAS on erectile dysfunction (FinnGen datasets). The plots of the effect of coffee consumption GWMA on erectile dysfunction (FinnGen datasets). The plots of the effect of coffee consumption GWAS on erectile dysfunction (Bovijn datasets). Risk of bias in individual studies Caffeine also promotes relaxation of smooth muscles of the bronchi, inducing bronchodilatation and protecting from bronchoconstriction induced by a bronchoprovocation challenge with dry gas or exercise 35,36. Studies in resting animals and humans suggest a centrally-mediated effect of caffeine, where caffeine may directly act on the respiratory center and increase its sensitivity to carbon dioxide. There is some research suggesting that caffeine influences ventilation (V˙E), end-tidal O2 partial pressure (PETO2), and SaO2 during progressive treadmill exercise to exhaustion in athletes with moderate-to-severe exercise-induced hypoxemia . Such alterations might reduce the blood flow to the locomotor muscles, reducing O2 supply to the active muscles. Regardless of the mechanisms, exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia might compromise O2 transport to active muscles 28,29.
  • As Q˙ will be close to maximal during high-intensity whole-body exercise, several systems will be competing for the redistribution of this “limited” Q˙.
  • In addition, for the early diabetic phase in acute high-dose STZ-induced diabetic mice, taurine pretreatment can effectively mitigate STZ-induced lipid peroxidation and ROS levels in testis and epididymal sperm (131).
  • And G.C.-S.; methodology, A.E.L.-S.; formal analysis, A.E.L.-S., M.D.S.-C., R.B., and G.C.-S.; investigation, A.E.L.-S., M.D.S.-C., R.B., and G.C.-S.; resources, A.E.L.-S.
  • Furthermore, the study highlighted the need for personalized approaches to caffeine consumption.
  • Finally, with regard to the analysis of time to pregnancy or successful ART rate, a neglected but potentially crucial aspect is the potential confounding effect of women’s fertility.
  • For different doses of total caffeine consumption (from coffee and tea), the risk of infertility for consumers was similar to that of never consumers.
  • For example, a study published in Nutrition Journal found that male athletes who consumed caffeine prior to resistance training experienced elevated testosterone and cortisol immediately post-workout (Beaven et al., 2008).
Caffeine’s effect on testosterone levels can be modulated by several factors including the amount consumed and individual physiological differences. Normal levels of testosterone are essential for your reproductive function and for maintaining a healthy balance within your endocrine system. In exploring the connection between caffeine and testosterone, you’ll uncover caffeine’s biological footprint and testosterone’s critical functions within your body. As you weigh the potential benefits against the possible risks, it becomes apparent that the interaction between caffeine and testosterone is complex. When you’re navigating the world of health and fitness, understanding the impact of everyday substances on your body is crucial. Forest plot showing the effect of decaffeinated coffee and GCE on TG levels, expressed as mean differences between the values obtained in the intervention and control groups. Four out of eight decaffeinated coffee interventions showed the reduction of TG levels (treatment group favoured). Overall, five studies with eight trials were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 4). A negative effect size indicates that decaffeinated coffee and GCE supplements reduce FBG levels. Several epidemiological studies have evaluated a role of coffee and other caffeine-containing beverages in the etiology of breast and ovarian cancer, albeit, with conflicting findings3 (reviewed in 4). Although drinking habits vary between countries, coffee’s widespread use has led to the evaluation of its consumption with various health outcomes. Whether or not caffeine affects cancer risk by altering sex hormone levels is currently unknown. Caffeine intake may decrease risk of breast and ovarian cancer, although the data are not entirely consistent. When you’re working on optimising or maintaining your testosterone levels, you become increasingly aware of all…

Nutrition for Reducing Stress and Supporting Testosterone

  • Main physiological events within the pulmonary system that might contribute to fatigue during high-intensity whole-body exercise.
  • In addition, another study found that high levels of green tea inhibit testosterone production in the Leydig cells of rats, which can also lead to reduced testosterone levels.
  • Studies were excluded from the analysis if any of the above criteria were violated.
  • These strengths increased our statistical power for the categorical comparison groups and generalizability for studies with similar study populations, and also reduced residual confounding because of our well-characterized risk factors.
  • Caffeine and placebo treatments were prepared by an experimenter who was not involved in the data collection for this study.
  • In short, it encompasses key testosterone boosting benefits of the compound.
  • ‡ Approximately 170–375 mg/day of caffeine intake is equivalent to 2–3 cups of coffee.
  • While this dosing strategy appears to be effective when running for 20–45 min, the benefits of caffeine may not extend to longer duration running events (9).
Participants were 16 healthy adults aged 18 to 22 years with a history of caffeine consumption. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study with periods of 7 days and washouts of 5 days comparing caffeine with placebo capsules was conducted. Several studies have shown that antioxidants can help reverse sperm dysfunction caused by oxidative stress in patients with idiopathic male infertility .

Coffee Consumption

This issue requires more investigations as to whether caffeine ingestion effects secretions of anabolic and catabolic hormone to RE. In addition, the current study findings show no significant treatment effect in insulin, testosterone and cortisol after RE. We should observe long-term effects of caffeine ingestion and resistance training on hormonal responses in a further investigation. No consistent relation between coffee consumption and sperm count or motility was found. Estimates of coffe/caffeine consumption, outcomes reported and confounding factors in the selected studies The identified studies are markedly different in quality of information, study design and categorization of caffeine exposure. Moreover, coffee consumption has been hypothesized to influence not only semen parameters, but also sperm DNA integrity. The caffeine molecule is easily absorbed by humans, having approximately 100% of bioavailability when taken by oral route and reaching a peak in the blood within 15–45 min after its consumption . However, there has been no evidence of a link between caffeine consumption and male reproductive health. For example, a study published in Nutrition Journal found that male athletes who consumed caffeine prior to resistance training experienced elevated testosterone and cortisol immediately post-workout (Beaven et al., 2008). Regular exercise, stress management, and a nutritious diet play significant roles in maintaining optimal testosterone levels. Your daily coffee habit might have a temporary boost on testosterone levels, especially if you’re active. Some contain large amounts of caffeine and other legal stimulants. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. But drinking too much coffee may cause problems. Being overweight is another major risk factor for ED. The main mechanism is that taurine can regulate the KATP channels and enhance the K-induced depolarization of pancreatic islet β cells, resulting in increased insulin secretion (114). Further studies revealed an inverse relationship between plasma taurine levels and the parameters (such as FBG, HbA1c, and albuminuria) used for the diagnosis and follow-up of type 2 diabetes mellitus (109). Cumulative studies have implicated taurine in the development of diabetes mellitus and its complications (106).It has been reported that plasma taurine levels usually decrease in diabetic patients (107, 108). Moreover, Beaven et al., 2008 also demonstrated a small elevation (21% ± 24%) in testosterone with a high dose of caffeine (800 mg) ingestion, whereas caffeine doses of ≥ 400 mg tended to cause a small decrease in testosterone after ingestion. High correlations between blood lactic acid and GH response to exercise have been reported (Hakkinen and Pakarinen, 1993), but the acute blood lactic acid concentrations changes were similar between CAF and CON protocols. Therefore, it is necessary that further studies identify the relation between caffeine ingestion and insulin response after RE. Finally, our study only included postmenopausal women, which may limit the generalizability of our findings to premenopausal women or men. However, we consider it is less likely that such residual confounding would substantially explain our findings, because our observed associations appear to be consistent with the observed genetically determined SHBG levels when stratifying by SHBG genotypes. Third, misclassifications of dietary intakes and biomarker measures are inevitable. Second, we cannot exclude the possibilities of residual confounding from unmeasured or incompletely measured covariates even though we have adjusted for many major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. In contrast, the role of specific sex-steroids in relation to the coffee-diabetes relation remains to be determined.
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One Chinese study found that men who retained from ejaculation for 7 days had a 45% increase in their testosterone levels (38). Another 2017 study examined the effects HIIT training had on male athletes and concluded it to increase free testosterone and muscle power (14). As a result, research shows that increased trans fats intake can lower levels of SHBG and lower your testosterone levels. Women with missing FFQ or hormone information were excluded for the specific analyses with missing data. Caffeine consumption was calculated using US Department of Agriculture food composition sources18–20. The stability of these hormones in whole blood not processed for 24–48 hours has been shown previously 16. Premenopausal hormone assay methods for estrogens and testosterone have been described previously14. These studies were approved by the Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in Research at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, MA). If you enjoy your morning cup of coffee or tea, there’s no need to worry about it negatively impacting your testosterone levels. Before we dive into the effects of caffeine on testosterone, let’s first understand how testosterone is produced in the body. In conclusion, our results suggest that SHBG levels may account for the potential protective effect of habitual coffee consumption against type 2 diabetes risk among postmenopausal women. Moreover, our findings of little or no relations between caffeine-related beverage consumption and sex hormones suggest that caffeine may increase the level of plasma SHBG without directly altering sex hormones levels. The review will provide new empirical evidence on the effect of regular caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption on metabolic syndrome parameters. A previous study suggested that CGA may improve the antioxidant status and reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation, whereas caffeine may slow the inflammation process, thereby providing protection against free radical formation and preventing endothelial damage . Genetic and lifestyle-related factors, such as alcohol intake, smoking, sedentary habits, and poor dietary habits, such as intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, were identified as risk factors in MeTS development. A more detailed RCT on specific coffee doses (with adjustment for energy and polyphenol intake) and physical activity is needed to further confirm the observed outcomes. Coffee can influence key hormones, including testosterone. Many guys use caffeine to sharpen focus, boost energy, and power through tough sessions. Cortisol is known as the body's primary stress hormone.
  • But ask your healthcare professional to be sure.
  • Abusing substances are also linked to hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency (55).
  • Of course, be careful not to eat too much all the time, as the additional weight gain can have negative effects on testosterone production as well.
  • In fact, it is highly beneficial during endurance exercise.
  • Although it was stated that the coffee intake was separated into several doses for additional research, no relevant data were supplied, and the relative risk was not determined based on these doses.
  • Nearly 90% of all Americans consume some form of caffeine every day.
Decaffeinated coffee reduced the DBP by 7.3% to 3.3% compared to the baseline; however, in some studies, decaffeinated coffee also increased the DBP by 1.3% to 1.4% compared to the baseline (Table 1). A positive effect size indicates that decaffeinated coffee and GCE supplements increased the HDL-c levels. Five out of six types of decaffeinated coffees increased the HDL-c levels (treatment group favoured). Four studies with six trials were included in the meta-analysis to investigate the effect of decaffeinated coffee on serum HDL-c levels. For days leading up to it, I was fueling on multiple cups of coffee, thinking it would keep me alert. Elevated cortisol levels, especially when sustained over time, can potentially lower testosterone. Caffeine has been the subject of countless studies, and its relationship with testosterone is no exception. Psychological factors such as relationship quality, anxiety management, and emotional connection are equally important in maintaining healthy sexual desire. The mechanisms involve complex interactions with the endocrine system, potentially increasing testosterone production and enhancing overall sexual vitality. Natural herbs like Panax ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and maca root have demonstrated significant potential in boosting reproductive hormone levels and improving overall sexual performance. These physiological changes can diminish energy levels, reduce stamina, and create a cascading effect that negatively influences sexual performance. This heightened stress response can disrupt hormone balance, potentially suppressing testosterone and reducing overall sexual responsiveness. The males were heavier and taller than the females, lower in body fat, and they had higher systolic blood pressure at screening. In preliminary tests on the model, covarying for reported habitual caffeine intake had no effect on the results of the ANOVA, and so this variable was not considered further. We accordingly conducted a randomized trial of the effect of caffeine intake on acute physiological responses to caffeine (8). For millions of men, caffeine is a daily ritual. You hit the coffee machine. In high doses, or over time, caffeine can backfire. According to some studies, excessive alcohol consumption may lower testosterone levels. By reducing your intake of estrogen-like compounds, you may be able to improve your testosterone levels and overall health. One study found that testosterone increased by 42% after 12 days of use. However, some research has suggested that drinking coffee before exercise may actually boost testosterone levels. The EFSA further reports that a daily total caffeine intake of up to 200 mg in pregnant and lactating women does not increase safety concerns for unborn babies or breastfed infants, and that a single caffeine dose of up to 200 mg (approximately 3 mg per kg bodyweight for a 70-kg adult) does not raise safety concerns. Two studies with three trials were included in the meta-analysis investigating the effect of decaffeinated coffee intake on waist circumference. Caffeinated coffee contains 5 mg of caffeine per kg body weight to 69.12 mg of caffeine per person per day (CGA content of 45.4 mg) in powdered form and 80 mg of caffeine in a volume of 250 mL. The data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of coffee consumption were reviewed. Future studies should more rigorously control the effectiveness of blinding. Ten studies on the strength outcome and ten studies on the power outcome met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analyses. You need to take care of your hormone levels if you’re going to be a serious athlete. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause reduced testicular function and even testicular atro­phy. Moreover, we investigated whether the association of coffee consumption with type 2 diabetes risk was attenuated by further adjusting for plasma sex hormones or SHBG. More recently, prospective studies of men and women incorporating both genetic and phenotypic assessment of SHBG revealed a strong inverse association between SHBG levels and type 2 diabetes risk (10). Our findings suggest that SHBG may account for the inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk among postmenopausal women.
  • These days, it’s hard to go to the gym without running into someone who’s taking a pre-workout supplement, or as it’s known for short, “pre-workout”.
  • Although some studies suggested that men with the highest coffee consumption had lower semen volume as compared with those with less or no consumption 22, 37–39, this result was not statistically significant nor consistent throughout the studies.
  • Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Natural Testosterone Levels When it comes to men's health, testosterone plays a crucial role in various aspects of...
  • The proposed mechanism which would counteract DHT-induced miniaturization of the hair follicle include inhibition of phosphodiesterase by caffeine, which increases cAMP levels in cells and therefore promotes proliferation by stimulating cell metabolism.
  • It reported the number of infertile patients with different doses of caffeine intake in different etiology.
  • These side effects may be enhanced in naive caffeine users 3, 5, so extra precaution may be warranted in such individuals.
  • Strengths of this study is the large sample size with a representative sample of the US men population, and the validated dietary recall methodology from NHANES that allows for measurement of caffeine intake from drinks 23, 24 and report population-based estimates of daily caffeine intake.
Data from only two trials on caffeinated coffee were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 7). The effect of coffee intake on DBP was evaluated on short-term (60–120 min) and long-term (8–24 weeks) bases, with the effect of caffeinated coffee investigated only on a short-term basis. Meanwhile, a positive effect size indicates that caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee increase SBP. The effect of coffee consumption on SBP was evaluated on a short-term (60–120 min) and long-term (8–24 weeks) basis. Meanwhile, a negative effect size indicates that decaffeinated coffee reduced the HDL-c levels. According NOS, the average score of case-control studies was 6, and the cohort study achieved 9. Four studies (one cohort study and three case-control studies) involving 12,912 participants were included. Meta-analysis was conducted if there were acceptable clinical and statistical heterogeneity among studies.
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Table Of Content The iCV represents the slope of the regression line of exercise distance and duration, while iARC represents the y-intercept. In order to minimize learning effects and ensure safety, participants were familiarized with brief intermittent running bouts, and then completed a 5 min warm-up at a self-selected pace. The iCV test protocol followed the same procedures used in the reliability study conducted by Fukuda and colleagues (13). A landmark study conducted in the Netherlands found that participants who finished their daily shower with cold water for at least 30 seconds took 29% fewer sick days than those who didn’t. This increases your heart rate and blood pressure, diverting blood flow to your vital organs to keep them warm. With the right choice, maca-infused coffee can be a valuable addition to a proactive men's health routine. Additionally, social media and wellness influencers have amplified awareness, especially around 'male optimization' trends. By integrating it into a daily coffee ritual, men can conveniently access these benefits without changing their habits. Consumers are increasingly drawn to adaptogens, compounds believed to help the body resist physical and mental stressors. Nevertheless, most research studies do not demonstrate a link between moderate coffee consumption and male fertility. On the other hand, according to a cross-sectional study performed on 701 healthy men, the consumption of saturated fats results in lower sperm concentration in semen and lower semen count . This integrative perspective might better explain the caffeine-induced improvements in endurance performance during high-intensity whole-body exercise than exclusively attributing ergogenic effects to a “central effect”. This improved physiological environment may also explain some perceptive alterations during high-intensity exercise after caffeine ingestion, such as a reduction in perceived effort and pain, and increased sensation of pleasure and arousal 85,86,87.

Does Coffee Keep Cortisol High All Day?

A This study classified the participants into 5 groups according to their primary disease and calculated the estimate effect of them respectively. The basic characteristics of the four studies included are shown in Table 1. HR is a risk ratio that takes into account the time factors, that is, when the number of events is included in the dynamic cohort, it also takes into account the loss of follow-up or other exposure factors to cause the event to occur. Testosterone levels can fluctuate due to various factors beyond just coffee consumption. These findings suggest moderate coffee consumption might enhance testosterone production temporarily, particularly among active individuals. Understanding these studies helps clarify how coffee might impact hormone levels. Additionally, phenolic compounds in coffee may influence estrogen activity, although their specific effects on testosterone remain less clear. Caffeine, a primary stimulant in coffee, impacts various hormone levels, including testosterone. Moreover, taurine content in human sperm ranged from 17nmol/mg DNA to 348 nmol/mg DNA, and taurine content ranged from 0nmol/mg DNA to 251 nmol/mg (27). Taurine content in human semen was reported to be from 319 to 1590 μmol/L and was maintained at a 10 times higher level than in the blood (27). Cumulative data show that taurine is much higher than other amino acids in semen of humans, hamsters, bulls, boars, dogs, pigs and guinea pigs (14, 23, 24, 27). In male reproductive organs, taurine has been detected by immunohistochemistry in Leydig cells of the testis, vascular endothelial cells, and other Leydig cells, as well as epithelial cells of the efferent ducts (26). Taurine exists in high concentrations in reproductive tissues and interstitial fluids of both male and female mammals, such as uterine fluid (19) and oviduct (20, 21) of females, semens (22–24) and epididymal tissues (24, 25) of males. However, others and we have shown that daily caffeine intake does not abolish the blood pressure response to caffeine on test days (8,17). Everyone’s body is different, and there are so many pre-workout supplements out there, that no one can say for sure which products will increase your testosterone levels. In fact, when taken together, theanine can reduce some of the side effects of caffeine, such as anxiety and increased blood pressure. The composition of intestinal microbiota is essential for many aspects of human health, including the immune system and predisposition to metabolic diseases . Additionally, it also affects the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, potentially leading to dysfunction of the HPG axis and disturbed night-time testosterone secretion due to chronic hypoxia and sleep fragmentation 24,63. Apart from leptin, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonads (HPG) axis and spermatogenesis are also affected by other pro-inflammatory cytokines produced in excess by the WAT, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNFa, tumor necrosis factor-a), interleukin-6, chemerin, resistin, or ghrelin . It is therefore suggested that excessive leptin production may constitute a significant factor in the development of androgen deficiency and deterioration of male reproductive function. According to one study , perceived stress was found to have a negative relationship with sperm concentration, sperm motility, and the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa. Research findings that examined men's self-reported levels of ‘daily-life stress’ while adjusting for relevant confounding factors showed conflicting results on sperm parameters. Male impotence diagnoses, appointments, and failed IVF treatments can all lead to increased stress . Many studies show that the quality of sperm in men getting treatment for infertility or in men in the general population decreases during infertility treatment. LH and testosterone pulses can be affected by stress, and this, in turn, can alter spermatogenesis and the quality of sperm 28,29. For a 180-pound (82 kg) male, that’s approximately 250–500 mg of caffeine, or about 2–4 cups of coffee. Let’s explore what the research says about caffeine’s impact on male hormones and muscle development. While moderate consumption can offer some benefits, it’s crucial to balance your intake and consider other lifestyle factors that influence hormone health. Minimizing processed sugars and carbohydrates also aids in maintaining optimal testosterone levels. Engaging in regular physical activity plays a significant role in maintaining testosterone levels. Locomotor muscle oxygen uptake is a function of the product of Q˙L and arterial-mixed venous oxygen difference (the Fick principle). The potential influence of caffeine on components of the cardiovascular system that might explain part of its ergogenic effect is also indicated. In Figure 4, we provided a hypothetical construct by which caffeine might affect the cardiovascular system. Studies showing a positive effect of caffeine on maximal heart rate were performed using a maximal incremental test 44,45.
  • Finding the right balance in caffeine dosage is essential for enhancing testosterone levels and performance.
  • This study has amazing results to show in terms of caffeine and testosterone.
  • The morphometric analysis showed a slight reduction in epithelial cell height of the prostatic lobes from CF group, which was statistically significant only for the VP (Table 1).
  • The free testosterone that isn’t bound to proteins is what’s actually functional and working in the body.
  • In general, treatment for male libido dysfunction or orgasmic dysfunction is challenging.
  • A total of 10.1% contained components with data to demonstrating a negative effect on T.
  • Research involving human participants suggests that caffeine consumption may impact testosterone levels, though findings are not entirely consistent.
  • Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy.
  • We administered caffeine or placebo once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks and measured cardiovascular, psychological, and subjective responses in adolescent males and females.
Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees were the primary types of coffee used in the studies identified in this meta-analysis. Three studies with four trials were included in the meta-analysis to investigate the effect of decaffeinated coffee on DBP. Four studies with seven trials were included in the meta-analysis for investigating the effect of decaffeinated coffee on SBP. Caffeinated coffee increased SBP (favoured control group) compared to that in the control group. However, in assessing caffeine's contribution to stress reactions during daily life, we have asked whether caffeine's effects are reduced by pharmacologic tolerance in proportion to a person's level of daily consumption (7,8). But if you find a pre-workout that’s right for you, then yes, a combination of caffeine, creatine, beta-alanine, and BCAAs could help you increase your testosterone. Caffeine also increases levels of cortisol  — the “stress hormone” — which has been linked to a reduction in testosterone. Our men’s clinic can restore your physiology, change your body composition and optimize your health to slow down aging and prevent health complications caused by low testosterone. Let’s take a look at some of the most common pre-workouts and what kind of impact they can have on your testosterone levels. Similar results were observed among men with higher intake of regular coffee; in addition, they were less likely to be hypertensive and had poorer diet quality as measured by Alternative Healthy Eating Index scores (Table 2). Men with higher total coffee intake had higher physical activity level, were more likely to be current smokers, and consumed more alcohol (Table 1). Overall, in 1998, 65% of cohort participants reported drinking at least 1 cup of coffee (total coffee) per day, and 11% reported consuming 4 or more cups of coffee daily. Baseline characteristics of the participants according to categories of coffee intake in 1998 are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Cox proportional hazards regressions were conducted to adjust for potential confounding by ED risk factors that were previously identified in this cohort and in other studies. Hope this blog helped you understand the real connection between caffeine and testosterone. Thus, we suggest a regulated regular consumption of caffeine. From the entire argument, one thing is crystal clear—caffeine and testosterone relation is highly beneficial. Many researchers believe this may be due to alcohol’s effect on the glands and the organs needed for testosterone production. But in addition to a crazy night and a possible hangover in the morning, drinking too much alcohol can also lower your testosterone. However, many researchers believe that eating soy may significantly lower your testosterone, and there are some great reasons to back up their claims. Additionally, “eating enough protein helps maintain muscle mass and regulate the stress hormone (cortisol), which can suppress testosterone,” says Lane. “They’re loaded with zinc, magnesium, and healthy fats, which are all key for testosterone production,” says Bailey. “They’re a powerhouse of selenium, which is essential for testosterone synthesis and sperm production,” she says. While unsaturated (or healthy) fats support hormone health, too much saturated or trans fats can lead to heart problems or weight gain, which ultimately impede testosterone, says Bailey. So, “if you’re not getting enough dietary fat, your body has less of the building blocks it needs to produce testosterone,” he says.
  • Caffeine is a staple in many men’s pre-workout routines, valued for its ability to increase energy, sharpen focus, and boost gym performance.
  • Our previous work has demonstrated gender differences in the reinforcing and physiological responses to caffeine,18,19 but a mechanism for these gender differences had not been established.
  • Cumulative data show that taurine is much higher than other amino acids in semen of humans, hamsters, bulls, boars, dogs, pigs and guinea pigs (14, 23, 24, 27).
  • But your genes determine how your body breaks down caffeine.
  • Studies for which the effect size or SD was not stated or could not be calculated were excluded from the meta-analysis.
  • However, no correlation between coffee consumption and sperm DNA adducts could be detected.
  • This results in a natural dose of energy that can help you wake up without caffeine.
Only planned pregnancies were selected for this analysis, thus considering 2607 pregnancies among 1277 couples. In five cohort studies the endpoint was time to planned pregnancy 25, 27, 30, 34, 43. In this regard, it should be considered that controversies among studies might be related to the various methods of DNA damage evaluation. The association among DNA adducts, fertility and life style habits has been addressed, and a significant negative correlation between presence of DNA adducts and sperm concentration or motility was found among patients with an impaired fertility. DNA repair mechanisms induced by several chemicals and radiation occur early during spermatogenesis, but not in mature spermatids and spermatozoa , raising the possibility of accumulation of non-repaired DNA damage during spermiogenesis. However, despite this clear FDA statement, there continue to be products that either directly claim or imply to have certain effects on medical conditions. Approximately 50% of American adults consume dietary supplements to promote overall health and fill dietary gaps 4,5. These may be used in addition to TRT for males with diagnosed symptomatic hypogonadism, or as a stand-alone regimen. However, one study found that 87.8% men with low T were not receiving treatment, despite adequate access to care . Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a well-established option for those with symptomatic hypogonadism related to low T levels. Tests of linear trend were conducted by modeling the median of each beverage intake category and the quartile medians of caffeine intake as continuous variables. Progesterone levels were measured in the blood sample drawn on the same day as urine collection.(24,25) We considered women with luteal progesterone levels ≥400 ng/dL to have donated samples in an ovulatory cycle, while participants with levels below this cut-point were defined as having an anovulatory cycle. Caffeine intake was derived from self-reported intakes of coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate using their caffeine content per serving as estimated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition sources. Possible choices for intake of coffee, caffeinated tea and decaffeinated coffee ranged from “never or less than once per month” to “6 or more times per day”. Despite investigation in many large-scale epidemiologic studies, the association between coffee and breast cancer risk remains unclear. Funnel plots were constructed for both muscle strength and muscle power outcomes, plotting standard error against Hedge’s g. Since none of the studies reported correlation, a 0.5 correlation was assumed for all trials, as recommended by Follmann et al. . The meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software, version 2 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, NJ, USA). The 11-point PEDro scale was used for the assessment of the methodological quality of studies . Proper hydration also reduces cramping and boosts exercise performance and recovery, which indirectly impacts hormone balance, she says. “When you’re dehydrated, your cortisol level can go up, which works against testosterone,” says Bailey. Some options, like Hiyo, even contain adaptogens like ashwagandha, which may positively impact testosterone production. On the plus side, the rise of the sober curious and Cali sober movements has led to an abundance of alcohol-free alternatives, which make it easy to celebrate without risking a T-dip. Talking to your medical or mental healthcare provider can also help you assess whether drinking alcohol in moderation is possible for you, as well as a more (or less) healthy choice based on your other health concerns. Diet and Nutritional Factors in Male (In)fertility—Underestimated Factors Conversely, Shirai et al. observed improvements in erection frequency, firmness, confidence, and overall satisfaction in men with ED who consumed 40 mg/day of caffeine. This may suggest a beneficial effect of moderate caffeine consumption on the vascular system and erectile function. Previous studies highlighted the role of ED in health. The symmetrical distribution of studies suggests a low risk of publication bias. The distribution of studies included in the meta-analysis.
  • Caffeine extends exercise duration between 75–85% of vVO2max during continuous exercise; however, it is unknown if caffeine improved RSE at exercise intensities below 110% of vVO2max (9).
  • Maggie Aime is a registered nurse with over 25 years of healthcare experience, who brings medical topics to life through informative and inspiring content.
  • Participants also completed a short questionnaire at the conclusion of training to ascertain their perception of the caffeine dose ingested.
  • For days leading up to it, I was fueling on multiple cups of coffee, thinking it would keep me alert.
  • This personal experiment underscores the potential of caffeine, specifically from coffee, to influence testosterone levels.
  • Locomotor muscle oxygen uptake is a function of the product of Q˙L and arterial-mixed venous oxygen difference (the Fick principle).
  • The data revealed a nuanced relationship between caffeine consumption and testosterone levels.
  • Data from only two trials on caffeinated coffee were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 7).

The Cortisol Connection

The objective of this research was to establish if a moderate dose of caffeine consumed 60 min before iCV testing improves RSE performance. Therefore, it remains unknown if caffeine, alone, improves iCV model parameters. This may be due to the pharmacokinetics of caffeine, i.e. peak plasma concentrations are achieved within 45 min of oral ingestion, and the half-life is 3–4 h (19). However, the effects of GCE supplementation and decaffeinated coffee intake on MeTS outcomes varied depending on the dose administered and were independent of the intervention duration (60 min to 24 weeks). GCE supplementation effectively reduced the TG levels and increased the HDL-c levels. A previous study showed that phenolic metabolites, such as hydroxycinnamic acid, derived from CGA, are present in the bloodstream at relatively high concentrations for a longer period of time than caffeine, methylxanthines, and methylurics 42,43. In the first study, the participants consumed only one cup of coffee (containing 369 mg of CGA) per day, whereas in the second study, the participants consumed three cups of decaffeinated coffee (170.2 mg of CGA per cup) (breakfast, mid-day, and post-lunch) 22,31. Furthermore, another MR study, using a single caffeine dataset, found no causal relationship between caffeine and ED (28). No association between coffee consumption and ED was found in a prospective study of 202 patients with 5 years of follow-up (26). A large-scale study using the Health Professionals Follow-up Study from 1998 to 2010, did not find an association between total coffee consumption and ED, with similar associations for regular coffee consumption (27). The relevant figures of genetic association between coffee/caffeine consumption and ED can be found in the Supplementary Materials (Supplementary Figures S1-S24). Meanwhile, to ensure the robustness of the results, our study was validated in two independent ED datasets, and a meta-analysis was conducted on each exposure factor based on the IVW results from two datasets, using the fixed-effect method. Generally the results showed a stronger dose-response relationship with deciles of intake (data not shown). The cut-points were ≤6 cups/week, 1 cups/day, 2–3 cups/day and ≥4 cups/day for coffee; ≤1cups/week, 2–6 cups/week, 1 cup/day and ≥2 cups/day for tea; and ≤1–3cups/month, 1–6 cups/week, 1 cups/day and ≥2 cups/day for decaffeinated coffee. There were 524 premenopausal and 713 postmenopausal women available for analysis, with a mean age at blood draw of 43 and 62 years, respectively (Table 1). For testosterone, androstenedione, prolactin, and SHBG, we averaged the follicular and luteal values, as levels did not vary substantially by phase10, 22, 23, and included untimed samples for all hormones except estrogens24. Second, we calculated the average intake from the FFQ completed four years prior to blood collection (1986 for NHS, 1991 for NHSII) and that closest to blood collection. This procedure introduces minimum bias while retaining subjects for the full analysis. Men and women did not differ in their patterns of tolerance formation, and so data are presented only for the combined sample. Although the specific pattern of acute cortisol response differed to the 2 types of stressors, preliminary analyses indicated that the effect of caffeine on the daily secretion of cortisol was comparable across sites. The stressors varied by site, with mental testing done in Oklahoma City and exercise in Buffalo. We controlled for reported habitual daily intake in preliminary analyses and found no effect on the results. Total daily coffee consumption was obtained by the 24-h dietary recall questionnaire, and the mean intake was calculated based on completing at least two dietary questionnaires. The average daily coffee consumption in this meta-analysis ranged from 1.7 to 5.8 cups. The hypothesis behind the consumption of coffee in ameliorating erectile function is the fact that ED is often a precursor of impending cardiovascular risk, which is reduced after the use of antioxidants (8). The largest European multicenter population-based study has claimed that the average prevalence of ED among European men aged 40 to 79 was 30%, and increased with age (3). Future studies should explore the optimal dosage and form of caffeine for maximizing effects on strength and power. These parameters include the DNA fragmentation index (DFI), the medium DFI (M DFI), the high DFI (H DFI), and the high DNA stainability index (HDS - a fraction of immature sperms). In addition to aneuploidy, DNA integrity is an essential indicator of male infertility. Jurewicz et al. and Robbins et al. examined the association between lifestyle and sperm aneuploidy. The literature suggests that caffeine intake, possibly through sperm DNA damage, may negatively affect male reproductive function. Semen parameters did not seem affected by caffeine intake, at least caffeine from coffee, tea and cocoa drinks, in most studies. Among other life style factors, male coffee/caffeine consumption was hypothesized to influence semen parameters, but also sperm DNA integrity. This doesn’t mean coffee directly reduces testosterone; instead, it’s the secondary effects through raising cortisol that might influence testosterone levels. Rapid or extreme changes in dietary patterns can be detrimental to your health and may require professional guidance. Dietary changes can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. Before making any significant changes to your diet or nutrition plan, it is recommended to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional. Moderate caffeine is safe, but it’s not a cure for ED. Research published in Human Reproduction (Nassan et al., 2017) and Journal of Applied Physiology indicates that high habitual caffeine intake may negatively affect testosterone or sperm quality, especially in sedentary men. But for men who are trying to build muscle and optimize testosterone levels, an important question emerges—can too much caffeine actually hurt testosterone production? Limiting alcohol intake contributes positively, as excessive consumption can lower testosterone levels. However, high doses of caffeine might lead to an adverse outcome. However, these results may vary based on factors such as the amount of caffeine consumed and individual physiology. It works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, which prevents drowsiness and increases alertness. Caffeine is a stimulant that you most commonly consume in coffee, tea, and some soft drinks. The results of this study indicate that caffeine ingestion might attenuate the acute response of GH. This study also restrained subjects from performing RE and exhaustive exercise during the experiment period. Furthermore, we did not measure plasma caffeine and serum epinephrine concentrations, thus we could not estimate the effects of caffeine in subjects prior to RE. The participants in this study were very low caffeine consumers, which might have contributed to the results. Certainly, regular involvement of caffeine in diet can provide positive benefits in T-boosting. On the contrary, the largest dose elevated testosterone by 21%. Either they took a 0, 200, 400, or 800 mg dose of caffeine.