Does bodybuilding increase testosterone?
The more lean muscle mass we build through weightlifting, the higher our testosterone production will be. Stronger, more muscled men almost always have higher levels of testosterone than weaker men. Therefore, it makes little sense to do exercises that strengthen the muscles without also doing exercises that strengthen the bones and tendons.
If we care about being strong, healthy, and virile for 100+ years, we want a high level of testosterone in our blood. The more testosterone we have, the harder and stronger will be our bones. The more testosterone we have, the healthier our hearts will be. The more testosterone we have, the fitter our sexual organs will be.
How to increase testosterone bodybuilding?
Here are some tips for increasing testosterone aside from bodybuilding:
-
Eat Very Well.
I’m not talking about eating a few servings of broccoli and oatmeal here and there every day. I mean: Consume raw, grass-fed dairy such as goat cheese or kefir to get healthy fat, protein, and IGF-1 (a hormone that increases testosterone).
-
Cut Carbs Completely for Several Weeks.
Carbs are not an essential part of any diet, even for bodybuilders. If you want to experience what it’s like to be a testosterone-fueled machine with high energy levels and better sex drive, do yourself a favor and cut the carbs out completely for several weeks. You can eat them again afterward, but it will take you some time to recover the testosterone that got burned by too much insulin in your blood.
-
Exercise
Working out is probably one of the top 5 things every man should do every day (and I don’t mean exercising for 1-2 hours at a time). Just 20 minutes of lifting weights or doing some calisthenics will help regulate your testosterone production. And, just like with cutting carbs completely, it takes some time to recover the testosterone that gets burned by exercising for more than 1-2 hours at a time.
-
Sleep Properly.
A lot of men need 8+ hours of sleep every night in order to maintain healthy testosterone production. I personally need at least 9 hours of sleep a night in order to perform well, recover from my workouts, and feel that all-important testosterone buzz every morning after I wake up.
-
Avoid Stress.
Getting stressed out creates a big problem for our testosterone production. In addition to bodybuilding, sign up for a low-stress sport such as swimming or skiing just to get some daily stress relief in your life.
Foods that increase testosterone bodybuilding:
Your body constantly requires building blocks for muscle, bone, and organ tissue. The ingredients found in these foods are called macronutrients which provide our bodies with energy, especially protein. Protein is what your muscles are made up of so it’s no surprise that people who want to build muscle look for high-protein food options.
Foods with high protein include animal meats, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. While they provide the highest levels of protein per ounce, most people don’t want to consume that much meat or can’t afford it on a regular basis. Vegetarians looking to increase testosterone will have a hard time getting all their necessary proteins from food sources alone. Fortunately, there are a few high-protein options that don’t contain any meat or dairy products.
Here’s a list of foods that increase testosterone bodybuilding:
-
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most nutritious food options available because they provide us with an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Since this is one of the most versatile foods on the planet, you can easily add it to lots of different recipes.
-
Watermelon
One cup of fresh watermelon cubes contains around 72 milligrams of magnesium which is over 20% of your recommended daily allowance. The great thing about this fruit is that it contains potassium and other nutrients that work together to provide us with healthy blood flow.
-
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are nature’s little package of umami flavor. Since they’re packed with vitamin D and zinc, this is one of the best meatless testosterone boosting food you can find on any supermarket shelf or local produce store. There are lots of ways to cook mushrooms so you will never get bored.
-
Spinach
Spinach has become a popular health food in the last few years because it provides an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods website, “studies show that eating just two ounces of spinach per day can give you significant amounts of essential nutrients.”
-
Hazelnuts
Another excellent source of vitamin E, hazelnuts are packed with protein and healthy fats. This makes them the perfect snack option when you’re on the go. Just make sure to eat them in moderation because they also contain a high amount of calories per ounce.
-
Quinoa
Quinoa is an ancient grain that has become very popular in recent years because it’s an excellent source of protein. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods website, “quinoa is one of the few plant foods that supplies a complete set of essential amino acids for humans.”
-
Broccoli
Broccoli contains high amounts of vitamins C and K which makes them great veggies when you’re looking for foods to increase testosterone bodybuilding. Other than that, broccoli is also packed with minerals and antioxidants that work together to provide us with lots of healthy benefits.
-
Oats
Oatmeal has become a popular breakfast choice because it provides plenty of carbohydrates and fiber which boosts energy levels and makes you feel full longer. This helps your body get rid of unwanted testosterone and makes you look and feel better.
-
Oranges
This healthy fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C and potassium but oranges also contain lots of fiber which helps regulate the metabolism and boost energy levels. According to studies, diets containing foods rich in vitamin C promote weight loss so keep this fruit on your shopping list when you’re looking for foods to increase testosterone bodybuilding.
-
Almonds
Almonds are definitely at the top of this list when it comes to high-protein food options which makes them excellent for vegetarians looking to increase testosterone bodybuilding. They also contain zinc so they’re an excellent snack option when you want to look your best and feel your best.
