
The study, published in Physiology & Behavior, surveyed 114 men aged 18 to 44 on their spice preferences before serving them a dish of mashed potatoes they were allowed to season with as much salt and hot pepper as they liked.
The researchers found that the men with higher levels of testosterone in their saliva showed a greater preference for spicy foods and doused their potatoes with the greatest amount of hot sauce, even after the data was controlled for differences in age. More research has to be done to clarify causation, since it might be the hot sauce giving testosterone levels a boost; a past animal study showed an increased level of testosterone in rats fed a diet containing capsaicin.
The authors note that the hormone has long been associated with many other factors related to capsaicin preference, like dominance, aggression and daring behavior, while "low testosterone levels have been associated with lethargic or depressive mood." So, until they prove causation, it might be worth stocking up on the Sriracha.
More content from Healthy Eating
- – Surprising Side Effects of Eating Olives, Says Science
- – Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Lemon Water, Say Dietitians
- – The #1 Best Fruit for a Healthy Gut, Says Dietitian
- – 4 Worst Baked Goods for Abdominal Fat
- – Surprising Side Effects of Eating Too Much Butter, Say Dietitians
- – 5 Best Habits to Lose Belly Fat and Actually Keep it Off, Says Science
- – This Eating Habit Can Significantly Improve Your Gut Health, Says New Study
- – One Major Effect of Postbiotics on Your Stomach, Says Science