High-protein diets and testosterone
Abstract
A recent meta-analysis found low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets (> 3.4 g/kg of bodyweight/day) (g/kg/day) decreased men's total testosterone (∼5.23 nmol/L) [Whittaker and Harris (2022) Low-carbohydrate diets and men's cortisol and testosterone: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition and Health. DOI: 10.1177/02601060221083079]. This finding has generated substantial discussion, however, it has often lacked clarity and context, with the term 'high-protein' being used unqualified. Firstly, diets 3.4 g/kg/day), high (1.9-3.4 g/kg/day), moderate (1.25-1.9 g/kg/day) and low ( 3.4 g/kg/day) appear to decrease testosterone, however high- and moderate-protein diets (1.25-3.4 g/kg/day) do not.
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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