Boost Testosterone Without Drugs

Testosterone levels drop as men get older. This begins much earlier than most realize.

As early as age 30, testosterone levels start falling at a rate of about 1% per year.1,2

Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are well-known symptoms associated with low testosterone levels.3 But this hormone deficit affects more than the reproductive system.

Low levels of testosterone are also associated with depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, and more.4-8

Studies also show that low testosterone levels in aging men are associated with an increased risk of death from any cause.9

Three plant-based nutrients have been identified that support the body’s ability to produce testosterone, significantly raising levels.

In one clinical study, a proprietary blend of pomegranate and cacao extracts was shown to increase free testosterone by as much as 48% in aging males.10

In cell and animal studies, luteolin, a flavonoid found in fruit and vegetables, has been shown to inhibit the aromatase enzyme.11,12 This enzyme converts testosterone into estrogen.

These nutrients can help support more youthful testosterone balance in aging men.

Importance of Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testes of men and in the ovaries of women. A small amount is also made in the adrenal glands of men and women.13-15

This sex hormone is critical to the development of the male reproductive system. But testosterone levels also impact metabolism, energy, muscle strength and mass, inflammation, cognition, mood, and more.16

Low levels of testosterone become increasingly common and more severe as men age.17-20

Not only does this rob men of energy, virility, and the youthful feeling of general well-being, but it is also associated with age-related chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. 9

In one meta-analysis, low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease or any cause.9

“Free” and “Bound” Testosterone

Testosterone circulates in the blood bound to circulating plasma proteins, most importantly sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.13,21

Only about 2% of circulating testosterone is non-protein bound, or free.22 This free testosterone is the biologically active form.

For testosterone to exert its effects, free testosterone must bind to receptors in target tissues.

Total testosterone is the measure of all circulating testosterone, including that which is bound to carrier proteins like sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In this “bound” form, testosterone is not available for the body to use.

Both total testosterone and free testosterone drop significantly with advancing age.

What’s more, being overweight or obese has been associated with increases in the levels of an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme converts testosteroneinto estrogen, one of the primary sex hormones in women.23,24

As a result, overweight men, especially those with a high amount of abdominal fat, are at higher risk for low testosterone levels.

Pomegranate and Cacao Raise Testosterone

Scientists have been searching for ways to safely elevate testosterone levels without drugs.

In one study, researchers found that in healthy adult men and women, intake of pomegranate fruit juice for just two weeks increased salivary testosterone levels by 23%-27%. Measures of mood and well-being were also improved.25

These findings inspired scientists to screen hundreds of other plant extracts and nutrients for the ability to raise testosterone levels.

In a study using testes cells from mice, they confirmed that pomegranate extract raised testosterone production. They also discovered that cacao seed extract—from the same beans used to make cocoa and chocolate—significantly increased testosterone production.26

When combined, the pomegranate and cacao seed extracts had an impressive impact on testosterone production in an animal model.

In a study on rats, this pomegranate-cacao combination boosted total testosterone levels by over 72% after just six weeks.27

Results from Human Studies

In a clinical trial, the pomegranate and cacao extracts were tested in men ranging from 36 to 55 years of age.10 They were randomized to receive either a combination of both extracts or a placebo.

After eight weeks, free testosterone levels were elevated by over 48% compared to baseline in men receiving 400 mg of the pomegranate-cacao blend.

Notably, free testosterone increased by a greater percentage than total testosterone.

That wasn’t all. In those taking pomegranate and cacao extract, overall well-being improved. Measures of stress dropped by 26%. Hand grip strength increased by almost 25%, compared to baseline.