Raising testosterone levels is one of the key health goals to set as we age, as males see a gradual decline in testosterone levels after age 30-31. To safely and effectively boost or regulate these hormone levels, we often turn to diet and exercise before anything else. One dietary trend that I've seen recently involves testosterone and onions, and it's one I particularly like as I am a big fan of onions, although I know not many people feel the same way.
Now, we all know that onions help take our meals to the next level, but can they do the same for testosterone levels?
Let's find out what science says below:
What you need to know:
The Raw Onion Boost
Raw onions aren't the most delicious food items in the pantry, but most men are willing to bite the bullet and consume them daily to boost testosterone levels. But before you go to the grocer and get some, let's see what science says about the onion boost. One study that caught my attention was published on NCBI.
Male volunteers who consistently consumed fresh onion juice noticed an increase in free testosterone levels compared to those who didn't consume the juice.
Researchers believe that the increase in testosterone may be due to the anti-inflammatory—antioxidant properties of onions, which have a protective effect on the testes, the production hub of testosterone.
The effect, in essence, reduces oxidative stress in the body, which subsequently helps promote testosterone production. After looking closely at the clinical findings, I found that onion can enhance testosterone production in males through various mechanisms, the first of course being the one we just mentioned.
Others include:
Raw Onion, Not an Independent Solution to Testosterone Boosting
The way onion works to ramp up testosterone levels is mostly indirect, except for its mild ability to influence the production of the hormone trio (luteinizing hormone, nitric oxide, Leydig cells). However, it's important to understand that testosterone production is a complex process regulated by more than just the hormone trio. So, while consuming onion may provide some support, you can't rely on this alone. Experts suggest a more comprehensive approach that takes a combination of factors into consideration.
Onion consumption can be combined with regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and supplement use, such as a testosterone booster.
It's also important to note that excessively high testosterone levels can lead to negative effects. Thus, it's crucial to approach any efforts to boost testosterone with caution, using guidance from research to find out what ideal testosterone levels should be.
Other Health Benefits of Raw Onions
Onions contain various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are essential for maintaining good health overall health. Some of the primary health benefits that come with consuming raw onions include:
Improved heart health
Raw onions are rich in flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, which helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of heart disease.
Improved immunity
This one might be a complete surprise to most, but raw onion actually contains vitamin C. The vitamin plays an important role in immune system function. The onion also has antibacterial properties, which help fight infections.
Anti-inflammatory properties
As I mentioned earlier, raw onions have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. This is due to specific compounds the vegetable has that reduce swelling, which helps prevent chronic diseases such as arthritis.
Conclusion
The evidence so far suggests that consuming fresh raw onion may help boost testosterone levels, but further studies are needed to evaluate if it can be used as a stand-alone aid. Currently, the onion is a supporting aid to testosterone boosting supplements or other hormone boosting ingredients that stand on more solid ground. Men will also benefit from pairing onion consumption with a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet that contains testosterone-boosting foods, and adequate sleep.