Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hey gang

Upon reading how healthy cocoa is and dark choclate...i have been eating half a bar of 85% cocoa dark chocolate per day for a few months

I think that this may have lowered my testosterone..it is the only change in diet I have made between my last two girlfriends, so I am singling out dark chocolate as a culprit

Surely enough, I looked at the pack and it does contain a little soy...is the soy the culprit, or is it the actual chocolate? shouldn't the zinc from dark chocolate boost testosterone? i thought that cocoa was mean to be a good "sex food" it's a problem as it seems most of of the high % dark chocolates contains soy

Looking forward to your thoughts! :)

edited Jun 30 at 19:25

asked Jun 30 at 19:20

PaleoWannabe
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Poop Master MC · Answer 1 · 2012-08-18 20:31:40Z UTC

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It is probably not the soy, one of your ex's may have hired someone to curse you, Voodoo is particularly effective for this purpose.

Did any of them take hair clippings from you, or toenail clippings?

answered Aug 18 at 20:31

Poop Master MC
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Ryan · Answer 2 · 2012-06-30 19:38:26Z UTC

I don't think soy lecithin (which is what is in most of the chocolate bars you're talking about) poses the same endocrine problems that other sources of soy present. The amount is tiny and the lecithin is so isolated/purified that it pretty much doesn't matter that it comes from soy. Here's what Mark Sisson said about it:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/is-it-primal-7-more-foods-scrutinized/#axzz1zHsL7tkO http://www.marksdailyapple.com/grapefruit-fasting/#axzz1zHsL7tkO

Crowlover · Answer 3 · 2012-06-30 20:01:09Z UTC

Seriously doubt it.

Are you sure you aren't exposed to other xeno-estrogens?

Also, do you in fact actually know that your testosterone is lower (you have blood tests of Total and Free?) or are you just going by symptoms?

Info to help you would include your age and the symptoms that you think are low testosterone.

If you REALLY want to know your testosterone level, get it checked. Blood is ok but saliva may be better.

EDITED TO ADD: Be very careful about using DHEA to increase testosterone as it can increase estrogen. Dhea capsules are most likely to do this. Best is sublingual (there is a spray form) and creams (need an Rx) as with these you can pretty much avoid going through the liver.)

Acumen Athletics · Answer 4 · 2012-06-30 22:10:50Z UTC

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Sure it's the chcolate & not relationship situation? You mention change since your last 2 gf. Maybe I'm over reaching but our mentality can effect our test levels. It's not always nutrition.

answered Jun 30 at 22:10

Acumen Athletics
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That's what I'm thinking. Is "testosterone problem" code for sex-drive-struggling or not performing "as well"? Good lord, it could be anything. If only life was as easy as blaming one ingredient. – syrahna Jul 1 at 0:14

i guess i might be picking on nutrition a bit when there are so many factors to take into account - sleep etc it has made me concerned on whether there's such a thing as too much dark chocolate though – PaleoWannabe Jul 2 at 20:04

Amac · Answer 5 · 2012-08-18 20:28:29Z UTC

Cocoa increases arginine levels in the bloodstream, more arginine - more blood flow - more test.

Cocoa contains MAO inhibitors, which increases neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin, and keeps them elevated for longer, more serotonin - more energy - more endurance and strength - more test.

Cocoa contains theobromine and magnesium. Theobromine increases bronchodilation and vasodilation throughout the body - more test. Magnesium is essential to the heart and male sexual organ health - more of this obviously results in more test and unbound test.

If you want true benefits from cocoa then dont eat chocolate bars and get raw cacao powder mix it with warm water.

Also, on another note, chocolate bars no matter how much cocoa content they may have contain simple processed sugars. These readily available sugars deplete testosterone. So go for the powder for maximum benefits.

David Moss · Answer 6 · 2012-07-01 08:39:13Z UTC

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I don't why what symptoms have caused you to think you have lowered testosterone, but the caffeine and theobromine could certainly contribute (by raising cortisol and other stress hormones), plus the enormous quantities of antinutrients in dark chocolate may well reduce your nutrient intake, rather than boost your zinc.

answered Jul 1 at 8:39

David Moss
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Are there really THAT many antinutrients in chocolate? You mean caffeine, theobromine and phytates....oh, might have to cut back my own similar consumption. – Karen Jul 1 at 11:20

I meant phytate and oxalate mostly, but also tannins. Cocoa has 623mg/100g oxalate, only a little bit more than spinach, which is otherwise the highest foodstuff (relfe.com/2009/…) and phytic acid it has considerably more even than oats (thenourishinggourmet.com/2010/09/…) and about 6 times more than white flour. – David Moss Jul 1 at 15:36

thanks, that's what i was wondering...not sure what the limit on dark chocolate is per day – PaleoWannabe Jul 2 at 20:03

Downvoted for what reason, I wonder...? – David Moss Dec 24 at 22:24

Brendan · Answer 7 · 2012-12-24 18:45:52Z UTC

Chocolate has much more copper than zinc. Copper and zinc are in balance with each other. Too much chocolate could actually lower your zinc levels. Also Chocolate may cause adrenal fatigue over time. 

It's better as an occasional thing in my opinion. Then it might help.

matthew · Answer 8 · 2012-12-24 21:13:28Z UTC

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just take zinc and leave the chocolate

answered Dec 24 at 21:13

matthew
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Jackie · Answer 9 · 2012-12-24 21:22:42Z UTC

Not an expert at all, but it is possible to have a zinc/copper imbalance. I was on a crazy 6 month chocolate bender (started slowly then got out of control) until I started supplementing zinc and within 2 weeks, I just plain didn't crave chocolate anymore. I know that chocolate has both, but I understand they compete for absorption, and that the proportions are more in the favor of the copper.

I have read (but don't have any studies) that zinc levels can be a factor in testosterone production. But of course it could be other things. Being female, this had slightly different effects on me, I did notice increased sex drive coming out of the 6 month chocolate fog, but also stronger nails and thicker hair. I almost can't keep up with filing my nails since I added the zinc, plus my skin is great.

Anon · Answer 10 · 2012-12-24 22:37:02Z UTC

Ray Peat believes the polyphenols in chocolate can be estrogenic, if I interpret him correctly. Having chocolate with milk reduces the absorption of the polyphenols. After having 85% chocolate for months, I acquired a distaste for it and started feeling bad after I consumed it. Having chocolate with milk fixed that problem. The Ray Peat article about polyphenols is called Natural Estrogens. Check this page too.

Testosterone problems from too much dark chocolate?

10 Answers