Does Turmeric Increase Testosterone Levels? (The Answer)

Turmeric is a flowering plant that belongs to the ginger family, and you’ll often find it in health food stores where it’s recommended for its antioxidant properties.

One study, in particular, has made a direct connection between turmeric and free testosterone levels in the male body [1], and these are the positive effects that scientists believe contribute to it.

1. It Blocks Estrogen

The first benefit you get is that it’s believed to inhibit the release of free estrogen, which directly impacts the amount of free testosterone. This can impact sperm count, libido, and even joint health.

2. It Balances Cholesterol Levels

I’ll avoid getting into too much biology here, but testosterone is a 19-carbon steroid hormone that heavily relies on serum cholesterol for its production.

What turmeric does is balance the HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol), which can lead to higher testosterone levels in men.

3. It Activates Vitamin D Receptors

Finally, testosterone production relies on the amount of vitamin D available, and turmeric has been shown to activate vitamin D receptors, which may help with the production of other important hormones as well.

It also means that it should be part of any vitamin D supplementation plans.

During a conversation with my dietitian, she highlighted a few more health benefits of turmeric that go beyond just testosterone levels.

1. Combats Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress happens all the time in the body, but under healthy conditions, a person can fight off the toxins it produces [2]. All cells that process oxygen can build up different types of toxins and turmeric has been shown to promote better detoxification.

Turmeric is rich in a substance called curcumin, which is what gives it that distinct golden yellow color. It’s also the curcumin that gives it that slightly spicy flavor and makes it popular with people who like Indian food.

“Why curcumin? It’s a naturally occurring substance, found in the spice turmeric, that has anti-inflammatory effects. Its use has been advocated for cardiovascular health, arthritis, and a host of other conditions.”

- Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing.

And since the botanical term for turmeric is Curcuma longa, it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch to understand that this spice is one of the richest in curcumin.

What’s also important to understand is that it’s not the spiciness of an herb that triggers responses in testosterone levels. If you simply took some chili powder, you wouldn’t get the same reaction.

So, if you want to start a natural process of boosting testosterone levels, then you have two options to consume more curcumin through turmeric.

Food

Pretty much all Asian and Indian specialty food stores will sell turmeric in powder form, and you won’t need much of it on your spice cabinet.

You can then either add it to your meals or simply mix it with milk or a smoothie. Yes, milk and turmeric make a tasty drink.

Supplements

If you’re not a fan of spicy food, then you can still boost your testosterone production by taking curcumin as a supplement. Try and find one that has added black pepper, which may help with faster nutrient absorption.