How keto diets affect boy hormones
THE IMPACT OF KETOGENIC DIET ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Keto can both increase and decrease testosterone depending on the person
Most people assume diets have consistent effects on hormones, but this review shows keto can have opposite outcomes based on body composition and diet duration.
Practical Takeaways
If you're overweight and insulin resistant, a short-term keto diet may improve your testosterone levels.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Keto can both increase and decrease testosterone depending on the person
Most people assume diets have consistent effects on hormones, but this review shows keto can have opposite outcomes based on body composition and diet duration.
Practical Takeaways
If you're overweight and insulin resistant, a short-term keto diet may improve your testosterone levels.
Publication
Journal
Global Journal of Public Health Medicine
Year
2026
Authors
Bakhtawar Z. Omer, Zahraakhan Maaroof Taher, Hataw, Najmalden Mohammed
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Claims (3)
If lean, active guys follow a keto diet with very few calories for a long time, it might lower key hormones that affect energy and sex drive — even if they're otherwise healthy.
Keto diets might boost testosterone in overweight or insulin-resistant guys, but could lower hormone levels in lean guys who aren't eating enough calories.
If overweight or obese guys who have trouble using insulin stick to a keto diet for a short time, their testosterone levels might go up — probably because they lose weight, get better at handling sugar, and have less inflammation.