# Foods with testosterone **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 25, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988 "2014-07-25T02:23:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/1 "2014-07-25T02:23:04Z")
My questions for the teeming millions are: Some foods are supposed to have testosterone, or related compounds, in them - parsnips being one. Is this true, and is it enough to make a physiological difference ? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/2 "2014-07-25T04:41:41Z")
I can find no evidence of _any_ foods having appreciable levels of testosterone and cannot even find any internet meme that claims parsnips do … just something about how Romans thought it was an aphrodisiac, and that maybe because it looks like a well sized phallus. One mention of some weak form of testosterone in pine pollen but nothing that backs that up with any original citation. So highly doubt albeit cannot state as a GQ answer that none do as a fact. OTOH certain varieties of wild yam do contain xeno-estrogens and have been implicated in early female puberty. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/3 "2014-07-25T13:35:07Z")
Testosterone is a hormone [manufactured in the systems of animals](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone#Biochemistry). It is derived from cholesterol, also manufactured in the systems of animals. I don’t see how it’s remotely possible that a plant can make it. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/4 "2014-07-25T13:48:40Z")
Mountain oysters? They’re food according to some… ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/5 "2014-07-25T14:03:51Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Testosterone is a hormone [manufactured in the systems of animals](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone#Biochemistry). It is derived from cholesterol, also manufactured in the systems of animals. I don’t see how it’s remotely possible that a plant can make it. Well, plants can make rather potent estrogens ([phytoestrogens](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogens)). So, it’s not unreasonable to consider they might also be able to synthesize testosterone-like hormones as well. On another note, many years ago [this PNAS](file:///Users/stevenshumak/Downloads/pnas00650-0279.pdf) paper came out and purported to demonstrate that macronutrients (i.e. dietary protein) could theoretically augment testosterone levels. AFAIK, nothing further came out of the idea. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/6 "2014-07-25T15:03:54Z")
I thought there was something about vitamin D boosting testosterone. If there aren’t foods that _contain_ testosterone, are there perhaps foods with a well-known tendency to spur testosterone production in humans? What are they? Am I right about vitamin D? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/7 "2014-07-25T15:14:12Z")
And there are some plant androstenediones, like that allegedly in pine pollen, which theoretically can be converted into testosterone … or into compounds with estrogen-like activity. Oral testosterones have been difficult. Currently there are none available in the US although [one company](http://www.drugwatch.com/2014/06/02/clarus-therapeutics-ipo-testosterone-drug/) has its entire future riding on getting their version approved. It is potentially a huge market but one that has been getting some cautionary press about risks. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/8 "2014-07-25T16:50:25Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Testosterone is a hormone [manufactured in the systems of animals](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone#Biochemistry). It is derived from cholesterol, also manufactured in the systems of animals. I don’t see how it’s remotely possible that a plant can make it. Plants can make phytosterols, which are chemically so close to chlesterol, that they body can consume them instead of cholesterol, which makes such foods useful for lowering cholesterol. So any plant that produces something similar to testosterone could have the opposite of the desired effect, and trigger the body to produce less testosterone. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/9 "2014-07-25T17:30:16Z")
I would think that if you ate something with testosterone it would simply become food that is digested. Is their any evidence that eating testosterone can raise your levels? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/10 "2014-07-25T17:52:21Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > parsnip … it looks like a well sized phallus … I urge you to visit an andrologist and get that checked out. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/11 "2014-07-25T19:20:52Z")
_Is this true, and is it enough to make a physiological difference?_ The thing you have to remember about testosterone, in particular, is that it’s regulated in two different ways. Raising your testosterone levels (by whatever method you prefer) above the set point your body is maintaining won’t just cause your natural production to shut down, it will also cause your body to ramp up aromatase production, which lowers testosterone levels by converting it to estrogen. In other words, you won’t just have one problem (testosterone shuts down), you’ll have two (excess estrogen). This is why experienced juicers take Anastrozole along with anabolic steroids. I hope it really isn’t necessary to say, but screwing around with your endocrine system isn’t something to be done lightly. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/12 "2014-07-25T22:44:49Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I urge you to visit an andrologist and get that checked out. Haaahahahaha! I hate parsnips! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/13 "2014-07-25T23:16:00Z")
Okay a little pointy but seriously historically all many foods had to do to be labelled an aphrodisiac was to have some vague similarity to male or female genitalia. Parsnips, rhino horn, deer antler, celery, ginseng root … and on the other side, clams, oysters, and figs. ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/14 "2014-07-26T03:21:44Z")
Quick google - [Nutrition Basics | livestrong](http://www.livestrong.com/article/290118-foods-with-natural-male-hormones/) > [@](#): > > "Celery contains a male steroid hormone known as androstenone. " > > "A February 2006 report on the “Today” website notes that truffles contain androstenone and the pheromone androstenol, just like celery. " > > "Another vegetable that contains the male steroid hormone androstenone is parsnips. An article from The UK Semiochemistry Network indicates that young parsnips provide this natural male hormone. " (Yes, truffle is a fungus not a plant) Well, there’s a start - any more ? ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/15 "2014-07-26T03:25:44Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Well, plants can make rather potent estrogens ([phytoestrogens](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogens)). So, it’s not unreasonable to consider they might also be able to synthesize testosterone-like hormones as well. > > On another note, many years ago [this PNAS](file:///Users/stevenshumak/Downloads/pnas00650-0279.pdf) paper came out and purported to demonstrate that macronutrients (i.e. dietary protein) could theoretically augment testosterone levels. AFAIK, nothing further came out of the idea. Yeah, soy being a famous expample - and also I believe it is orally effectice, though whether that is true also for phytoandrogens - I’m 20 seconds away from googling it 🙂 voila > **[Phytoandrogen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoandrogens)** > > Phytoandrogens are substances produced in plants which have effects similar to testosterone in animals. > Phytoandrogens have been implicated in sex-reversal in fish. ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/16 "2014-07-26T03:27:59Z")
> [@](#): > > Haaahahahaha! I hate parsnips! You should eat them, it’ll make you a big strong boy…even if you’re a girl. ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/17 "2014-07-26T03:35:47Z")
> **[PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17688164)** > > PubMed® comprises more than 37 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites. > [@](#): > > “Three groups (8/group) of immature male rats of known weights were administered equal doses of aqueous (cold and hot) and alcoholic extracts of Hibiscus rosasinensis leaves for 8 weeks. > The increase in the weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate of the alcoholic extract dosed rats was 19%, 30%, 31% and 40% respectively.” 19% bigger balls, I’d say it was marketable ! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/18 "2014-07-26T04:33:48Z")
> [@MrQwertyasd](#): > > Quick google - [Nutrition Basics | livestrong](http://www.livestrong.com/article/290118-foods-with-natural-male-hormones/) … Thing is if try to search for that article in UK Semiochemistry Network you find that it is a group of people interested in smell who run meetings and nothing there and doing academic searches nothing comes up. Then there is where your next link > [@MrQwertyasd](#): > > … voila > [Phytoandrogen - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoandrogens) leads. Which gives the “pine pollen is said to” bit and the gutta percha tree bark example which is linked to [this 2007 article](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1797194/) which states explicitly that this is the first and so far only phytoandrogen identified: > [@](#): > > Plants containing compounds such as the isoflavonoids, with female hormone-like effects that bind to human estrogen receptors, are known. But none has been previously shown to have corresponding male hormone-like effects that interact with the human androgen receptor. Here, we report that the tree bark (cortex) of the Gutta-Percha tree Eucommia ulmoides possesses bimodal phytoandrogenic and hormone potentiating effects by lipidic components. … Biological activity was documented with an extract from the bark injected into rats. Interesting on the Hibiscus leaf extract. The 19% was the control group apparently. Be interesting to see if it was ever replicated. Apparently a [different Hibiscus extract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22428240) had no such effect. But there does seem to be [some support](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3996747/) for some herbs, or combinations of herbs, rainsing testosterone levels. ---
**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/19 "2014-07-26T05:04:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Biological activity was documented with an extract from the bark injected into rats. Ah, wait a minute - I don’t see it saying injected, rather that they used alcoholic solutions, which I’m sure they would be testing orally as they were testing based on anecdotal evidence of it’s aphrodisiac effects when used as a drink by people in Africa. Furthermore, looking at some of the other papers > [@](#): > > Mature male albino Wistar rats (180-220 g) were given by gastric intubation Hibiscus macranthus Hochst A ex Rich (Malvaceae) and Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) aqueous extract from both fresh and dry leaves, > The serum level of testosterone was significantly increased on the 15th day by 80% in rats given both types of extracts compared to the controls. Gastric intubation is basically tube feeding, not injection. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988/20 "2014-07-26T05:40:46Z")
You are correct. I had read the bit about the dose response curve being established with injections and incorrectly understood that to be the technique for administration in the experiment. The point however remains - according to that article phytoandrogens are very uncommon and they claim this gutta percha bark extract is the first one actually documented. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-with-testosterone/693988.md?page=2)