# How does protein intake affect your testosterone? Meat eaters won’t be happy

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-does-protein-intake-affect-your-testosterone-meat-eaters-wont-be-happy/
- Published: 2026-11-05T17:47:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T19:05:39+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/05/health/where-you-get-your-protein-affects-your-testosterone-study/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- More animal protein was linked to lower testosterone.
- More plant protein was linked to higher testosterone.
- The study found an association, not proof of cause.

## Summary

A Finnish study found that men who ate more animal protein tended to have lower testosterone, while those who ate more plant protein tended to have higher levels. The findings suggest that the source of protein may be relevant to hormone health, but they show an association and do not establish that diet caused the differences.

Researchers assessed four days of diet records from 2,546 men aged 42 to 60 and measured their testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Men with the highest animal and lowest plant protein intake had testosterone levels 1.2 nmol/L lower, while those with the highest plant and lowest animal intake had levels 1.1 nmol/L higher. The article notes that these groups also differed in factors such as smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and physical activity, which may affect the comparison.

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