When we think ginger, we think of an epic flu cure or great cooking staple that transforms bland food into a flavorful meal. This flowering plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5000 years and has been investigated as a testosterone-boosting aid in recent decades. Below I join the dots to find the link between ginger and testosterone levels to see if chewing down on a few pieces would be worth the try.
What You Need to Know
What's The Relationship Between Ginger and Testosterone?
I went straight to solid scientific research and study to determine the relationship between ginger and testosterone. After looking at several studies, I found that they all concluded that ginger consumption free testosterone availability and testosterone production.
I expand on one of the studies that stood out to me the most:
A study that involved 75 men between the ages of 19 and 40 evaluated the effects of ginger supplementation on serum testosterone levels. After 3 months of consistent supplementation, the men showed a 17.7% increase in testosterone levels, which is surprising considering that ginger is a very simple ingredient. The men also showed an improvement in average sperm count.
The relationship between ginger and testosterone comes down to blood flow. I found that all the studies mentioned ginger improved blood flow to the testes, which is great, as the tests produce and release testosterone. The improved blood flow allows testosterone boosts and regulation, a simple but beneficial effect supported by ginger.
How Can Ginger Help Improve Testosterone Levels?
Ginger improves testosterone levels by enhancing the production of LH (luteinizing hormone). The increased amount of LH in the body encourages the testes to create more testosterone. While this is its primary way of boosting levels of the hormone, it's not the only one. Ginger also boosts testosterone levels by:
1. Reducing oxidative stress
Ginger contains compounds such as zingerone, zingiberene, and gingerols, which are antioxidants that protect the testes from oxidative damage. This helps them enhance testosterone production.
2. Improving blood flow
Ginger improves blood flow to the Leydig cells, which are responsible for producing testosterone. This gives them the nutrients and hormones needed to boost testosterone production.
3. Regulating blood glucose levels
The antioxidant compounds in ginger regulate blood glucose, keeping testosterone levels healthy.
4. Increasing nitric oxide (NO)
Ginger increases the production of nitric oxide, which boosts the levels of testosterone. This is because NO supports the presence of the Gonadotropin hormone, vital in testosterone creation.
What Other Benefits Can It Provide?
Apart from boosting testosterone, ginger consumption has many other benefits. These include:
How Do People Usually Consume Ginger?
One of the easiest ways to consume ginger is to just bite the bullet and chew a few bits. However, this can be difficult as ginger isn't the most tastiest thing on earth. Some experts suggest chopping about a gram of ginger into thin slices and swallowing them with some water to dilute the pungent taste. Some of the other ways you could get your daily dose of ginger include:
Tea
Strain hot tea through some grated ginger, and you have ginger-infused tea that is both refreshing and beneficial.
Lemonade
Finely grated ginger can be added to your favorite lemonade blend to create a tasty drink you can have daily.
Meals
Create a dish where ginger is the hero ingredient. Add it to your marinade, or infuse it into your favorite curry. Just make sure you are getting your required dose.
With honey
Raw ginger can be mixed with a tablespoon of honey for a more pleasant taste and maximum benefits.
Final Call
The effects and capabilities of ginger certainly brought on bouts of amazement to the health and wellness sector, and I must say that I was equally as impressed after digging into its properties. I found compelling evidence linking the ingredient with testosterone regulation. Continuous supplementation can even prevent the development of testosterone decline, which is specifically linked to age-related oxidative damage. Let's not forget that it has several additional benefits that help improve overall health, so it's definitely one of those comprehensive treatment options. However, its effects are not potent enough to tackle severe testosterone decline.
Excellent well presented information in