Will Honey Increase Testosterone?

Honey is a sugar-rich syrup that is purported to be a beneficial sweetener because it contains natural sugar, rather than artificial sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup. While honey can be beneficial in some ways, one nutritional use for which honey is unlikely to be beneficial is increasing testosterone. Several nutrients can increase testosterone levels, but honey is not rich in these nutrients, so it is unlikely to impact your testosterone level. Consult a doctor prior to addressing any medical conditions, such as low testosterone.

Honey dripping into wooden spoon (Image: grafvision/iStock/Getty Images)

Fiber

One potential benefit of honey for increasing testosterone levels is that it contains no dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a crucial nutrient that aids in healthy digestion, promotes feelings of fullness and can help stabilize blood sugar levels. However, research published in the December 1996 edition of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" indicates that too much fiber can inhibit testosterone production. Thus, replacing fiber-rich foods with honey may aid in increasing your testosterone levels.

Fat

Honey contains no dietary fat, which can be helpful if you're trying to cut fat and calories, but it's detrimental for testosterone production. In addition to supplying energy and helping your body absorb vitamins, dietary fat is involved in hormone production. According to research published in the November 2004 issue of "International Journal of Sports Medicine," increased fat intake can promote increased testosterone levels.

Sugar

Honey is high in sugar, with more than 17 g in each 1 tbsp. serving. While sugar makes honey taste good and can provide energy, it can be detrimental for hormonal levels. Research performed in 2009 at Massachusetts General Hospital found that consuming sugar caused a reduction in testosterone levels, so honey is not a good food choice for enhancing testosterone release.

Magnesium

In addition to dietary fat, other nutrients can promote increased release of testosterone. Among them is magnesium, according to a study from the February 2009 edition of "Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis." Unfortunately, honey is devoid of magnesium, so it can't supply this testosterone-boosting benefit.