Testosterone is the most important hormone when it comes to sex drive, sperm production, muscle growth and energy. The testosterone level has a significant impact on a man’s masculinity and behavior. As men age, their testosterone levels slowly decrease causing a lot of unwanted side effects. Especially the sexual function of men suffers from low testosterone levels. Reduced sexual desire, weaker and fewer erections, worsening sexual performance, decreasing stamina and even impotence are the result.
The physical changes caused by low testosterone levels can also be frsutrating for men who aspire to be masculine. Increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and an overall weaker physique will have a strong negative impact on a man’s self-confidence. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and natural testosterone boosters can help keeping testosterone levels high, but it is important to know about bad habits and environmental influences that cause them to drop in the first place.

Every man’s testosterone level will naturally start decreasing with age:
With the lowering testosterone levels, aging men start to face more and more health problems. In addition to feeling docile, weak and exhausted, men also become more likely to develop certain diseases. Men with low testosterone are around 50% more likely to develop diabetes and 42% more likely to have high blood pressure. Age, however, is by far not the only deciding factor. Lifestyle, nutrition, health and hormone balance are also extremely influencial.
The following list contains the biggest culprits to declining testosterone levels:
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
This synthetic chemical used in various plastic food containers can leach out when heated and is proven to reduce the testosterone levels in people exposed to it. People who often drink from plastic bottles have a high chance of negatively affecting their testosterone levels by exposing themselves to this chemical.
Soy
A Harvard study in 2008 has proven that consuming soy decreases the sperm counts. Especially the combination of obesity and soy consumption can be extremely harmful for a man’s fertility.
Beer
The hops used in beer is estrogenic and therefore makes beer a beverage you should definitely avoid overusing when you are concerned about your testosterone. Two drinks a day can already significantly lower testosterone levels in men. People who don’t want to miss out on alcohol are advised to resort to hops-free alternatives like vodka.
Sleep deprivation
Lack of sleep raises cortisol levels in the body which results in lower testosterone. Especially for older men who already produce less testosterone, not getting enough sleep can bring the testosterone levels down to an extremely low level.
Stress
Just like not getting enough sleep, stress also increases cortisol levels with the same detrimental effect. Men under stress are less competitive, have less stamina and sacrifice some of their masculinity.
Obesity
Fat tissue contains an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. Obesity therefore inevitably leads to a drop in testosterone and masculinity.
Bad Nutrition
In order to produce testosterone, our bodies need certain vitamins and minerals. The low-fat diets introduced in the 90s has had a very negative impact on the testosterone levels of men. The best way to boost testosterone through nutrition are natural testosterone boosters like L-Arginine.