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Do Bananas Increase Testosterone? (Science Based) 

Isaac Robertson
Published by Isaac Robertson | Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Last updated: August 7, 2023

If you suffer from low testosterone levels, you’ve probably stumbled upon peculiar advice—to eat more bananas.

While there are virtually no side effects of eating bananas, you might be wondering if they’ll actually help you.

To give you a verified answer, we’ve invested hours upon hours into researching the science behind it, as well as other people’s experiences.

You’ll find everything you need to know in this quick guide. Let’s roll.

Quick Summary

  • Bananas contain bromelain, a digestive enzyme that has proven effective in boosting the production of testosterone levels, and maintaining them.
  • Improved blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure, and relaxing nerves are some benefits attributed to bananas.
  • Ginger, beef, and egg yolks are other testosterone boosting meals.

Why On Earth Would Bananas Increase Testosterone?

a hand of bananas

That’s a valid question.

But there are good reasons why it’s fair to assume that bananas could boost testosterone production: 

Bananas contain bromelain. The research found that this digestive enzyme helps maintain healthy testosterone levels [1], so it could also help boost them.

Additionally, bromelain has been recognized for its potential to assist men in achieving optimal testosterone levels.

Some men even take a bromelain extract to get their testosterone to appropriate levels.

By harnessing the potential benefits of bromelain from bananas or through specific supplements, individuals have sought to support their hormonal balance and enhance overall well-being.

It's a natural approach that appeals to those looking for alternative ways to optimize testosterone levels.

Some men even take a bromelain extract to get their testosterone to appropriate levels.

They’re loaded with potassium. This mineral keeps sodium levels in check. In turn, this reduces blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health.

Both are linked to penile health, so proper potassium intake can help you kill two birds at once.

They contain important vitamins: namely vitamin C and vitamin B6. Vitamin C reduces cortisol (“the stress hormone”), and high cortisol levels

Can Bananas Really Boost Testosterone Levels?

mouth view of a man biting bananas

Based on our research, bananas can increase testosterone levels.

Our conclusion comes down to the fact that bananas contain ingredients that positively affect overall health. Here are a few benefits:

Improving blood sugar levels 

Lower testosterone has been linked to insulin resistance [2]. In short, if you improve your blood sugar levels, you might enhance your T-levels, too.

Managing stress levels another factor that can influence testosterone levels is stress. Chronic stress has been associated with lower testosterone production.

Since bananas have a low glycemic index compared to other fruits, they’re the perfect choice for doing so (unless you have type 2 diabetes, in which case you need to avoid bananas).

Reducing blood pressure

Again, since bananas are rich in potassium, they can decrease your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. This might indirectly boost testosterone.

Relaxing nerves

Lowered sex drive and erectile dysfunction are linked to stress. Bananas can help you relax and conquer testosterone deficiency, as they contain magnesium and C and B vitamins.

But are there any side effects of eating bananas?

Some believe they could damage your health because they contain potassium. But experts say there’s no reason to worry:

“You would probably need around 400 bananas a day to build up the kind of potassium levels that would cause your heart to stop beating... Bananas are not dangerous - and in fact, they are, and always have been, very good for you.”

- Catherine Collins, Dietitian

It’s also worth noting that bananas are much cheaper than over-the-counter supplements, so they’re worth trying.

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Other Health Benefits of Eating Bananas

man using tape measure on his waist

It’s very likely that bananas boost testosterone. But maybe not directly.

Instead, they might improve other health areas that indirectly boost levels of testosterone. I’ll list three of them.

These benefits are so amazing that they’re reason enough to eat bananas, even if they don’t aid in boosting testosterone.

Improved Digestion Health

An average banana contains 3 grams of fiber.

That’s important because fiber helps produce beneficial gut bacteria, improves digestion, and even reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Some say that a healthy gut equals a healthy sex life, so this just might be what you need.

Invigorated Immune System

man smiling with his arms up

An average banana contains around a third of the total recommended vitamin B6 intake.

That’s excellent news because vitamin B6 stimulates the production of red blood cells and healthy hemoglobin production.

Both largely contribute to your immune system.

Plus, it’s likelier you’ll have a higher sex drive if you feel well.

The Bonus Benefits

Since bananas are such powerhouses of vitamins and minerals, they can help you achieve other goals, too.

For example, they can help you lose weight, build muscle mass faster, regulate your energy absorption, and enhance your mood.

Pair bananas with sources of healthy fats—like Greek yogurt—and you’ll be surprised by how much more energized you feel.

Other Testosterone Boosting Foods

If your goal is to increase your levels of testosterone, bananas aren’t your only option.

There are other foods that could help you produce more testosterone, such as:

  • Egg yolks -  Egg yolks are rich in vitamin D, linked with high testosterone levels and healthy sperm [4].
  • Beef - Beef is another excellent source of vitamin D, but you should avoid eating it every day. It could be fatty and even lead to some types of cancer.
  • Ginger -  One study showed that taking ginger supplements for three months could increase testosterone by 17.7% [5].

Related Articles:

If you want more ideas on what to eat to get your desired results, check out this video:

So, Should You Eat Bananas to Improve Your Testosterone?

While there’s no guarantee that bananas will boost your low testosterone levels, they’re certainly worth a shot.

Firstly, bananas are much cheaper than supplements.

Secondly, they’re powerhouses of essential vitamins and minerals. That’s why some believe that eating bananas is like getting free testosterone injections.

So, give bananas a chance, and monitor your results over a few weeks. We bet you’ll be surprised by how successful your experiment was.


References:

  1. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.1001878
  2. https://www.webmd.com/men/what-low-testosterone-can-mean-your-health
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20050857/
  4. https://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=71548
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