Is it true that coconut oil affects the male hormone testosterone?

Coconut oil has a variety of health benefits. In addition to healthy hair and skin, coconut oil is also known to fight inflammation due to its antioxidant content. But not only that, coconut oil is also said to affect and increase testosterone levels in men which can play a role in the reproductive system. Is that true?

Testosterone levels in men

Basically, the hormone testosterone is both produced by the male and female bodies. However, men produce 20 times more testosterone than women. That is why this hormone is more commonly associated with men than women.

In men, the hormone testosterone has a variety of functions. This hormone is needed to strengthen bones, increase muscle mass, development during puberty or adolescence, and regulate or promote sexual function. If testosterone is reduced, these functions will not work properly and maximally.

Testosterone levels in a person continue to change throughout his life. In men, testosterone levels are highest at the age of 17-19 years and begin to experience a reduction at the age of 30 years.

Low male testosterone can cause hair loss (including on the body and face), reduced muscle mass, brittle skin, reduced sex drive, and irritation. mood or mood, memory, and concentration.

Coconut oil is touted as one of the natural ingredients that can affect testosterone levels and even help increase them.

Is it true that coconut oil can affect testosterone levels?

Coconut oil is obtained from the white flesh of the coconut. This type of oil contains high saturated fat, which is up to 84%, as well as medium or medium chain triglycerides medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) which consists of lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

Quoted from Healthline, The MCTs in coconut oil have been shown to affect a hormone similar to testosterone in the body called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone has a function similar to testosterone, but can also trigger baldness in men.

An animal study showed that MCTs in the form of lauric acid in coconut oil can prevent the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. However, there have been no human studies related to this, so the effect of MCT on DHT has not been fully proven in humans.

In addition, coconut oil has not been shown to affect testosterone levels in a person. Therefore, this oil has not been shown to increase sex drive due to low testosterone levels.

How to increase testosterone levels in men

Apart from age, there are other conditions that can cause low testosterone levels in a person, such as sleep disorders sleep apnea . However, a person's testosterone levels can return to normal after the condition is cured.

Apart from curing conditions that cause low testosterone, there are also a variety of ways you can increase your levels naturally. Apart from coconut oil, which has not been proven to affect the hormone testosterone, here are some ways to increase testosterone that you can apply at home:

Exercise, such as lifting weights or high-intensity cardio exercise (p igh intensity interval training / HIIT).
Eat a balanced amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Control cortisol levels by reducing stress.
Tan to get vitamin D naturally from the sun or take a vitamin D supplement.
Adequate and quality sleep.
Increase testosterone levels through natural ingredients, such as ginger, shellfish, green vegetables such as spinach, fish oil, olive oil, onions, and others.