Everyone enjoys a good drink now and then but a lot of people do not realize the effect that alcohol has on someone trying to lose weight. Some people are ignorant and some just choose not to believe what scientific research has revealed about alcohol’s effects on fat loss and muscle building. In this article, we will quickly look at what scientific research has revealed about the effects of alcohol on male sexuality. Alcohol’s effect on male sexuality results from alcohol’s direct effect on testosterone. This influences a male’s capability to lose fat and build muscles. Male sexuality in this article refers to alcohol’s effect on shrinking the male testes and causing the enlargement of male breasts.
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Studies have shown that male alcoholics can develop shrinkage of the testes (testicular atrophy) and breast enlargement (gynecomastia). The prolonged suppression of testosterone is believed to be one of the main contributing factors.
Alcohol’s Feminizing Effect on Males
Enlarged Male Breasts - Courtesy of Wikipedia
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology suggested that alcohol had the following feminizing effect on males;
- Enlargement of breasts
- Reduced facial and chest hair
- Predisposition to store fat around the hips rather than the abdominal area
The feminizing effect experienced by men is a result of hormonal imbalance caused by alcohol. In males who consume alcohol, there is an overproduction of the female estrogen hormone. This comes at the expense of testosterone production as both hormones are produced via the same pathway.
Estrogens are present in both men and women, with significantly higher levels in women of reproductive age. Estrogens promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics such as breasts.
Testosterone can be converted to estrogen via a process called aromatization. This happens via a process in the body called the testosterone biosynthesis pathway. Via this pathway, testosterone can be metabolized to estradiol. Estradiol is a very potent form of estrogen. According to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, the conversion of testosterone to estradiol may be enhanced in people who consume alcohol.
Estradiol causes further direct lowering of testosterone levels in the testes and an increase in SHBG levels. Testosterone circulates in the bloodstream, bound mostly to SHBG. Only a small fraction of circulating testosterone unbound or “free testosterone”. Only “free testosterone” is biologically active and able to initiate its effect on cells. The SHBG inhibits the function of these hormones.
In a study published in the Journal Alcoholism, it was found that people with alcoholic liver disease had increased levels of estrogen in their blood. The researchers concluded that the additional estrogen in the blood came as a result of increased testosterone to estrogen conversion.
The presence estrogenic compounds in beer could also contribute to increased estrogen levels in men. The estrogen contribution from beer could add up significantly as beer is drunk in large volumes as compared to other alcoholic drinks. Increased level of estrogen in the body could disrupt the testosterone to estrogen balance, tipping the scale in favour of estrogen.
Estrogen in beer originates from hop. The estrogenic effect of hop was noticed by German brewers not long ago when they realized that young women who picked hop in the fields experienced very much earlier menstrual periods. Researchers soon realized that this was attributed to the strong estrogenic effects of hop. Some researchers claim that hop is one of the most estrogenic plants available. Most of the estrogen contained in hop is available in the form of estradiol.
Beer is seldom drank in moderation and as a result, could contribute to the feminizing effect experienced by men.
Alcohol Shrinks the Testes
Alcohol’s effects in impairing testosterone production and shrinking the testes has been well documented in numerous studies.
In an article published in the American Journal of Medicine, the author suggested that testicular atrophy was present in men with advanced alcoholic cirrhosis. These men also exhibited decreased libido and sexual potency.
According to an article in Alcohol Health and Research World and quoting an article in the American Journal of Medicine, it was stated that testicular atrophy was common amongst alcoholic men.
Alcohol will atrophy the testes and it could be caused by one of the following;
- Alcohol’s damaging effects on the testes
- Alcohol’s effects on the LH and FSH hormones. LH and FSH hormones apparently stimulate testicular growth
- Loss of sperm cells and decreased diameter of the seminiferous tubules
Alcohol’s Effect on Body Definition
The imbalance in the estrogen/testosterone ratio makes it difficult for any weight loss or muscle building initiative Testosterone is a potent fat burning and muscle building hormone. Excess estrogen will suppress testosterone. The effect that alcohol has on testosterone levels is the reason why people who consume lots of alcohol, generally carry less muscle and more fat. A study published in the Journal Metabolism showed that alcoholic men who consume alcohol generally have bigger waists and smaller muscles than teetotalers.
A man with an alcoholic beverage in his hand is portrayed to look macho. A real man would drink alcohol, so it seems. But research shows that alcohol takes away from a man, all that what makes him a man.
As has been advised before, anyone attempting to lose weight or build muscles should temporarily abstain from alcohol until the goal is achieved. Trying to lose weight or build muscles is like driving with the parking brakes on. While the car will move, it will be a lot easier with the parking brake off.
- Alcohol’s Effects on Weight Loss – Part 1
- Alcohol’s Effects on Weight Loss – Part 2
- Alcohol’s Effect on Testosterone and How it Affects Muscle Building and Fat Loss
- Drinking Alcohol and Exercise
Tags: alcohol, alcohol and fat burning, alcohol and weight loss, alcohol and muscle building, alcohol testosterone, estradiol, estrogen, estrogenic effect, FSH, gynecomastia, LH, male breast enlargement, testes atrophy, testes shrinkage, testosterone, testosterone biosynthesis pathway
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“Enlargement of breasts ”
That one got to me the most. I’m gonna be thinking of that every time I drink now
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Alena
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