For some, ending the day with a cold beer is the ultimate form of relaxation. Many of us are aware of the term “beer belly,” which is common among males who drink too much beer, but research suggests another side effect can occur from drinking beer than many men definitely don’t want.
The study suggests that males who drink India pale ales (IPA) are at a higher risk of developing gynaecomastia—or, a name you’re more familiar with, “man boobs.”
Drinking IPA beer can lead to man boobs
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IPA beer contains phytoestrogens, which occur naturally in plants. Phytoestrogens can help aid in sleep and even benefit women going through menopause. On the other hand, they can contribute to boobs in men along with erectile dysfunction, known as “brewer’s droop.” This occurs after males consume too much alcohol.
Man boobs are more easily produced among men who have more body fat, as it fuels the production of estrogen. The good news is that this can be combatted with regular exercise, as exercise produces testosterone, which can combat estrogen.
It is also advised that you reduce your intake of alcohol, sugar, and refined carbohydrates.
Adding more leafy greens into your diet can help combat this as well. This includes kale, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
Tips to boost testosterone
There are currently injections and patches men can wear to help boost testosterone. Both methods of boosting testosterone have been shown to produce harsh side effects, which can hurt the body in other ways. If your testosterone levels are low, you need to find natural and safe testosterone boosters.
Exercise: Exercise is quintessential for good health and to boost testosterone naturally. Not only can exercise reduce belly fat—a cause for declining testosterone levels—but lifting weights has been shown to boost testosterone by 49 percent. Even if you’re in your later years, exercise is still possible—just find a program best suited for you.
Limit your alcohol consumption: Maybe when you were younger, you didn’t notice alcohol’s effects on your testosterone because you had an abundance of it. But now that you’re older, that alcoholic beverage can really zap your already lowered T-levels.
In one study, men who consumed alcohol daily over three weeks saw their testosterone levels drop by nearly seven percent. The takeaway here is to watch your drinking.
Minimize stress: Stress can wreak havoc on your overall health, so it’s no surprise that stress can also cause a drop in your testosterone levels. Stress actually reduces the body’s ability to produce testosterone, so finding healthy ways to combat stress is essential.
Eat fat: Having too much fat is bad for testosterone, but eating healthy fat can actually boost it. As uncovered in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, men who consumed fat had high levels of testosterone.
If you are going to consume fat, ensure it is of the healthy variety: monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat are best.
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Sleep well: It’s important to get proper sleep to boost testosterone. In one study, men who only slept five hour nights for seven nights saw a 10 to 15 percent drop in testosterone.
These tips are not just ways to boost testosterone naturally but are also essential for overall good health. Testosterone is an essential hormone for men and women alike. It is what makes a man, and when it begins to drop, you’ll stop feeling like yourself.
Related: Low testosterone causes, symptoms and natural testosterone boosters
