Does Alcohol Lower Testosterone Levels: How Drinking Effects T Levels

Do you feel powerless after getting drunk on a Saturday night? Do you feel that you can’t do anything after drinking alcohol?

If so then perhaps alcohol is doing a little more damage to you than just a morning hangover.

Maybe it’s taking away something more precious from you; the source of your youth, your testosterone!

This article is all about how drinking -and by drinking, we mean heavy drinking – lowers your testosterone levels and what are the dos and donts of drinking alcohol. So, let’s get to it!

Alcohol and Testosterone Levels

It is a well known and accepted fact that heavy use of alcohol reduces levels of testosterone and other reproductive hormones.

Now researchers are discovering the mechanism behind the damage alcohol does to testosterone production.

In men, three main glands contribute to hormone formation, including testosterone. These include your hypothalamus, pituitary, and testicles. This system is called the“hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis”.

This system controls the male reproductive organs and also is involved in normal functions like metabolism, development, and reproduction. This system is affected the most by the consumption of alcohol.

Research has supported the fact that exposure to alcohol can reduce the levels of pituitary and hypothalamic hormones, which are pivotal for testosterone production.

Studies have also shown that alcohol decreases testosterone levels in the body and stops its functioning in the body.

How Does Alcohol Affect Testosterone Levels

One way that alcohol consumption reduces testosterone levels is by the production of testicular opioids.

A specific type of opioid called beta endorphin is increased by the consumption of alcohol and represents a strong link between the consumption of alcohol and testicular damage.

Testicular opioids are molecules which are similar to morphine and suppress testosterone synthesis when produced in the testes.

Beta endorphins, when produced in the testes, inhibit testosterone levels. Opioids can also increase cell death in testicles.

Alcohol consumption causes an imbalance in the levels of oxidants and anti-oxidants.

The breakdown of alcohol produces by-products known as oxidants, which play a key role in producing alcohol-induced damage to the testosterone producing Leydig cells of the testes.

Think of oxidative stress as a poison for your body cells. Taking alcohol can increase oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of antioxidants in the body.

Mary Ann Emanuele, the professor at the Department of Medicine, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois says that alcohol produces damage to male reproductive organs and testosterone production in a number of other ways too.

According to researchers, alcohol consumption produces a highly toxic compound known as salsolinol, which suppresses testosterone levels.

Alcohol consumption can also increase the levels of pituitary prolactin in the brain, which can then reduce testosterone levels.

Another important and dangerous way that alcohol lowers testosterone is by increasing estrogen levels in the body.

And estrogen is something we want to keep low if we are serious about keeping testosterone flowing in the body.

Other Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol

If that’s not enough to convince you to stop drinking then here is something more for you. Here is a bunch of other side effects that you may experience after prolonged consumption of alcohol.

• Anemia – Alcohol consumption can cause an abnormal reduction in the levels of red blood cells. This condition is known as anemia and its symptoms include fatigue, rapid breathing, and light-headedness.

• Cancer – Heavy alcohol consumption can make a person prone to cancer. The cancer can be of any type like mouth, pharynx, liver, breast cancer. The cancer risk becomes higher in people who use tobacco along with alcohol.

• Cardiovascular diseases – Continuous alcohol consumption can cause platelets to bind themselves together in the form of a clump, which can lead to stroke or heart attack. A 2005 Harvard study found that the risk of death increases in people who drink alcohol.

• Depression – Drinking and depression are linked together but the question is which comes first – drinking or depression. One theory is that depressed people drink whereas the other theory is that heavy drinking leads to depression.

• Seizures – People who have epilepsy and drink can get seizures. Sometimes seizures can also be caused in people who don’t have epilepsy.

How Much Alcohol is Dangerous for Testosterone Levels?

Some studies have shown that consumption of alcohol in moderation might not be that dangerous.

There are many side effects of heavy consumption of alcohol but you can minimize the risks by consuming alcohol in a moderate quantity.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends the following drinking levels:

• Healthy men and women shouldn’t drink more than 2 glasses on any given day to avoid any alcohol related diseases over a lifetime.

• Healthy men and women shouldn’t drink more than 4 glasses on any given day to avoid any alcohol-related injuries from that event.

Which Alcoholic Beverages are Less Harmful?

If you are going to drink in moderation here are some good alcohol choices below.

1) Vodka Soda – This is a low-calorie drink that will help us to avoid putting too much weight on.

2) Whiskey and Gin – Again low calorie if we avoid sugary mixers.

3) Wine – Contains antioxidants like flavonoids and nonflavonoids which can help to lower bad cholesterol.

4) Manhattan – Contains restorative properties.

5) Guinness – Has been shown to have the same antioxidant properties as wine.

6) Sangria – Contains fruits and vitamins particularly Vitamin C.

7) Bloody Mary – Low in calories and has vitamins contained in the juicy tomatoes.

Tips for cutting down on drinking 

Following are some tips for cutting down on drinking.

• You should drink soft drinks between alcoholic beverages to dilute the alcohol.
• You should eat something before or during drinking.
• Don’t drink the alcohol all at once. Drink in small steps.
• Avoid or cut down on places and events that lead you to drink heavily.
• Remember the bad and horrible times you experienced when drinking excessively to change the belief that alcohol is a good thing.
• Think of the positive things you will experience after cutting down on drinking like losing weight, more energy, increased testosterone, saving money etc
• Associate with people who want to improve their health and fitness.
• Be aware of the side effects of alcohol and know the limits so that you can develop a motivation to drink within these safe limits.

For anyone wanting to stop drinking or reduce the amount consumed, I highly recommend you check out Kevin O’Hara’s Course.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that alcohol and testosterone don’t form a good combination at all. Different studies mentioned in this article clearly point out that alcohol decreases testosterone levels.

But the effects are lessened if your intake of alcohol is within the limits and you follow the tips we have mentioned.

But if you cannot drink in moderation then it might be time to take a break from alcohol and see for yourself the benefits this can have on your health and well-being.

thanks for reading

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