In a clinical study of 74 men aged 19–74 years, "Glucose ingestion was associated with a 25% decrease in mean [serum testosterone] levels" after a standard oral glucose load, and "T levels remained suppressed at 120 min compared with baseline." The authors concluded: "Glucose ingestion induces a significant reduction in total and free T levels in men, which is similar across the spectrum of glucose tolerance." They note this reduction appears due to a direct testicular defect with a possible additional central component.

Using NHANES 2011–2012 data for 20–39-year-old U.S. men, this study examined sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and total testosterone. It reports: "Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the odds of a low testosterone level was significantly increased with increasing SSB consumption (Q4 [≥442 kcal/day] vs. Q1 [≤137 kcal/day], adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.29, p = 0.041)." The authors summarize: "Consumption of SSBs is significantly associated with low serum testosterone levels in men 20–39 years old."

This population-based study was designed to investigate whether consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is associated with lower serum total testosterone concentration in men 20–39 years old. All data for this study were retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012. Among all subjects (N = 545), 486 (90.4%) had normal testosterone levels (≥231 ng/dL) and 59 (9.6%) had low testosterone levels (<231 ng/dL). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the odds of low testosterone was significantly greater with increasing SSB consumption (Q4 [≥442 kcal/day] vs Q1 [≤137 kcal/day]), adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.29, p = 0.041. Conclusion: SSB consumption is significantly associated with low serum testosterone in men 20–39 years old in the United States.

A press release from the Endocrine Society describing a study presented at ENDO 2025 states that "Metabolic health factors, including small increases in blood sugar, are the main drivers of change in the reproductive systems and sexual functioning of aging men." It notes that "Sperm movement and erectile function declined in men with minimally elevated blood sugar levels that were below the 6.5% HbA1c diabetes threshold," suggesting that even modest hyperglycemia can negatively affect male reproductive and sexual health.

Its effects on serum testosterone levels have been investigated, with one study of 40 obese or overweight men reporting significant increases in total and free testosterone after adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks. This clinical trial reported that reducing intake of refined carbohydrates and added sugars as part of a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern was associated with improvements in testosterone balance, although weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity may have contributed to these changes. Overall, the clinical data suggest that high consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates is linked to lower testosterone, whereas dietary patterns that restrict these components, particularly in overweight or obese men, can improve testosterone levels.

We found that testosterone concentrations declined by 11% after oral glucose ingestion in hypogonadal men. Following glucose intake, testosterone concentrations fell significantly prior to testosterone therapy (week 0, p = 0.04). The nadir of testosterone concentration was at 1 h, followed by recovery to baseline by 2 h. In contrast, there was no change in testosterone concentrations at week 23. We conclude that oral glucose intake has no impact on testosterone concentrations in men on testosterone therapy.

An evidence-based overview on foods linked to testosterone changes notes: "High amounts of sugar might affect your testosterone level. A 2018 study looked at men ages 20 to 39. It found that those who drank large amounts of sugary beverages were more likely to have low testosterone levels." It cautions that "most of those participants also had a higher body mass, which could affect testosterone levels." The article also mentions that "another recent review of studies found a link between high calorie, high sugar diets and lower testosterone levels in men."

Previous clinical research has reported a relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and decreased sperm motility and fertility; however, its relationship with testosterone has not yet been demonstrated. Participants in the highest level of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (≥442 calories per day) were more than twice as likely to have low serum testosterone. This report demonstrates that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and higher body mass index were both associated with lower testosterone levels in males, and these associations were independent of each other and not due to other demographic and lifestyle factors.

A clinical commentary on diet and testosterone explains that "High sugar intake can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain, both of which are linked to lower testosterone." It lists sugar-rich items like baked goods, refined carbohydrates, and trans-fat-containing processed foods as contributing to obesity and hormonal imbalance, "both of which are associated with lower testosterone levels." The article emphasizes that heavily processed, high-sugar foods "may also increase inflammation and interfere with overall hormone production."

A clinical practice article on foods that lower testosterone argues that chronic blood sugar spikes from sodas, pastries, and processed snacks drive frequent insulin release. It states: "Chronically elevated insulin doesn’t just make you store fat; it also disrupts the delicate hormonal cascade responsible for testosterone production," and links high-inflammatory, highly processed, sugar-rich diets to environments "where testosterone production suffers." It frames refined carbohydrates and high fructose corn syrup as key contributors to inflammation and hormonal disruption.

This commercial men’s health blog summarizes research on sugar and testosterone. Citing clinical studies, it states: "Sugar does not permanently shut down testosterone production after a single meal. However, research shows that consuming a large amount of sugar can temporarily reduce testosterone levels for several hours." It also notes: "Reducing added sugar intake can improve metabolic health, which supports healthier testosterone levels over time. Men who reduce sugar often experience improvements in insulin sensitivity, body composition, energy levels, sleep quality, and inflammatory markers." The article emphasizes that sugar reduction is supportive but not a stand‑alone cure: "While eliminating sugar alone is not a guaranteed fix for low testosterone, it removes a significant barrier to hormone optimization… Reducing added sugar can improve insulin sensitivity, support weight loss, reduce inflammation, and stabilize energy levels. While this alone may not fully restore testosterone, it can improve symptoms and support overall hormone balance." These statements extrapolate from metabolic benefits; they are not based on randomized trials showing direct testosterone increases from sugar reduction.

An informational article on sugar and hormones notes a sex-specific difference: "Whilst excess sugar in the diet can raise testosterone levels in women, contradictorily it may lower testosterone levels in men, leading to lower libido and erectile dysfunction as well as obesity and diabetes." It presents excess dietary sugar as contributing to reduced testosterone production in men and highlights insulin’s broader inhibitory effects on other anabolic hormones such as human growth hormone.

A men’s health practice overview states that "Excess sugar can wreak havoc on hormone health. Diets high in refined carbs and sugar can lead to frequent insulin spikes, promote weight gain, and contribute to chronic inflammation—all of which can reduce testosterone." It warns that sugary beverages, desserts, white bread, and processed cereals "may play a key role in decreased testosterone over time" via metabolic and hormonal disruption, and suggests limiting such foods in a low-testosterone dietary pattern.

A consumer-facing article summarizing research on sugar and testosterone states: "Testosterone levels dramatically decrease almost immediately after sugar consumption due to the rapid release of insulin in the body." Citing research on young healthy males, it claims that "High sugar intake lowers testosterone even in young healthy males" and that more sugary soda drinks were associated with lower testosterone. It also references a 2013 study in which "oral glucose ingestion by adult males led to an abrupt drop in levels of total and free testosterone."

Vinmec’s overview of diet and testosterone reports that changing diet can influence hormone levels: "In short, changing your diet is one of the most effective ways to maintain healthy testosterone levels." It lists several foods and nutrients and notes that certain patterns (e.g., trans fats, high alcohol intake) reduced testosterone in cited studies. While the article mentions sugar in the context of processed foods, it does not provide specific evidence that isolated reduction of added sugar intake leads to measurable testosterone increases in men.

Research shows that consuming 75 grams of added sugar—the equivalent of a donut and a sugar-sweetened beverage—can decrease circulating testosterone levels by 25% within two hours. It’s a temporary dip, but if you’re constantly snacking on ultra-processed foods, those drops could add up, impacting your energy, mood, and muscle mass. This summary refers to a study in which an oral glucose load acutely reduced testosterone concentrations in men, suggesting that high doses of added sugar can transiently lower testosterone.

The TCTMED clinic summarizes the NHANES SSB study for men aged 20–39: "Those men who consumed the largest quantity of sugary beverages each day (442 kcal/day or more) were 2.3 times more likely to have low testosterone compared with those who consumed 137 kcal/day or less." It quotes the authors’ conclusion: "Consumption of SSBs is significantly associated with low serum testosterone levels in men 20–39 years old." The article adds that "Sugar depresses your testosterone production," and that improvements to diet and exercise "might reduce symptoms by slightly increasing your testosterone production" in borderline cases, but acknowledges that more research is needed.

Drawing on background knowledge: multiple observational and interventional studies report that acute glucose ingestion lowers circulating testosterone in men, and that high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with higher odds of low total testosterone in young adult men. However, there is limited direct randomized evidence that simply "reducing dietary intake of added sugar" in isolation causes a sustained increase in testosterone levels in men, independent of accompanying changes in weight, insulin resistance, or overall diet quality.

As insulin in the body increases, your testosterone levels decrease. Insulin is created by the body when sugar is eaten; it doesn’t matter how much or what kind, sugar intake will result in insulin production. This insulin production will, in turn, result in a decrease in testosterone. The article suggests that eating diets focused on fruits, vegetables, and fish while lowering the amounts of sugar, dairy, and red meats, along with exercise, may help maintain higher testosterone levels, although it does not cite specific clinical trials.