Does Coffee Increase Testosterone? The Science
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Men's testosterone drops roughly 1.6% per year starting in their mid-30s, according to the American College of Physicians. Meanwhile, 62% of American adults drink coffee daily. So the question—does your morning cup help or hurt your T levels?—affects millions of men already pouring that first cup.
The short answer: plain coffee barely moves the needle on testosterone. But that doesn't mean your coffee can't support healthy testosterone levels. The difference comes down to what's in the cup beyond caffeine.
This article walks through the clinical evidence on caffeine and testosterone, why the research keeps contradicting itself, and which ingredients actually move the needle on hormonal health.
Does Coffee Increase Testosterone?
Regular coffee consumption has no consistent, meaningful effect on testosterone levels in men. A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data from 1999–2012 covering thousands of adult men found no significant association between caffeine intake and serum testosterone (Wedick et al., The Aging Male, 2018). A separate 2022 analysis of NHANES 2013–2014 data involving 372 men found a slight inverse association—suggesting caffeine might lower testosterone marginally—but the researchers noted the clinical significance was unclear and the odds of actual low testosterone (<300 ng/dL) were not statistically significant (Glover et al., Nutrition Journal, 2022).
However, functional coffee formulated with testosterone-supporting adaptogens like tongkat ali and ashwagandha can support healthy testosterone production.* The distinction matters: it's not the caffeine doing the heavy lifting—it's the added compounds with their own clinical evidence.
What the Research Says About Coffee and Testosterone
The coffee-testosterone literature is a mess of contradictions. Here's what the major studies actually found.
The "No Effect" Camp
The largest dataset comes from Wedick et al. (2018), who analyzed NHANES survey data spanning 1999–2004 and 2011–2012. Their conclusion was straightforward: caffeine intake showed no association with serum testosterone in adult men. This wasn't a small sample—it drew from nationally representative health data across multiple survey cycles.
A 2019 study in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness reinforced this finding in a more controlled setting. Researchers gave resistance-trained men caffeine added to coffee before exercise and measured acute hormonal responses. Testosterone levels didn't budge compared to the control group.
The "Slight Negative" Camp
Glover et al. (2022) found an inverse association between caffeine metabolites and total testosterone in 372 men from NHANES 2013–2014 data. Six xanthine metabolic products of caffeine correlated with lower testosterone. But here's the critical detail: when they ran logistic regression on whether caffeine actually increased the odds of clinically low testosterone, the results were non-significant.
A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition also found negative associations between urinary caffeine metabolites and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in adults, adding another data point to the "slight negative" column.
The Cortisol Wrinkle
The most relevant mechanism isn't a direct caffeine-testosterone pathway—it's the cortisol connection. Caffeine stimulates cortisol production, and cortisol directly suppresses testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells (Cumming et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1983). Glucocorticoids act on Leydig cells through the glucocorticoid receptor, actively inhibiting testosterone production.
This creates a bidirectional problem: high cortisol suppresses testosterone, and low testosterone fails to adequately suppress cortisol. For men already dealing with chronic stress, poor sleep, or overtraining, the cortisol spike from excessive caffeine could theoretically compound the issue.
The Net Effect
"The relationship between caffeine and testosterone is not straightforward—it depends on the individual's stress levels, sleep quality, body composition, and caffeine sensitivity," notes Dr. Mark Moyad, Director of Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center, who has published over 150 medical journal articles on men's health and supplement efficacy.
For most men drinking 1–3 cups daily, coffee's effect on testosterone is negligible. The real opportunity isn't in the caffeine itself—it's in what you pair with it.
The Real Testosterone-Boosting Opportunity
If coffee alone doesn't move testosterone, why are we talking about it?
Because coffee is the most consistent daily habit most men already have. And the compounds that do support testosterone—tongkat ali, ashwagandha—work best with daily, sustained use over weeks. The problem with testosterone-supporting supplements has never been efficacy. It's compliance.
A bottle of capsules sits in a cabinet. You forget it three days a week. You skip weekends. You run out and don't reorder for a month. The clinical studies showing real results required daily dosing for 4–12 weeks minimum.
Coffee solves the compliance problem. You're already making it every morning. Adding testosterone-supporting ingredients to that habit makes consistency automatic instead of aspirational.
This is the concept behind functional coffee—coffee formulated with adaptogens and nootropics that do more than caffeine alone.
Ingredients That Actually Support Testosterone
Not all "testosterone-boosting" ingredients deserve the label. Here's what the clinical evidence actually supports, ranked by strength of evidence.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)
A 2022 meta-analysis in Medicina pooled five randomized controlled trials and found a statistically significant increase in total testosterone (SMD = 1.352, 95% CI 0.565–2.138, p = 0.001) in men taking tongkat ali. The effect held in both healthy men and those with clinically low testosterone.
The mechanism is specific and well-characterized. Eurycomanone—the primary active quassinoid in tongkat ali—inhibits aromatase (the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen) and inhibits phosphodiesterase (maintaining the cyclic AMP levels needed for testosterone synthesis). It works through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the same hormonal signaling pathway your body uses naturally.
Talbott et al. (2013) gave 63 moderately stressed adults 200mg of tongkat ali daily for four weeks. The results: testosterone increased 37%, cortisol dropped 16%, and mood markers improved across tension (−11%), anger (−12%), and confusion (−15%). Published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, this study is notable because it showed effects in stressed individuals—the population most likely to have cortisol-suppressed testosterone.
Effective doses in clinical research range from 200–600mg daily, with 10:1 extracts concentrating the active quassinoids. For a deeper look at dosing and timing, see our tongkat ali guide.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha attacks the testosterone problem from the cortisol side. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that ashwagandha produces significant cortisol reduction compared to placebo across multiple trials (Journal of Psychopharmacology). Since cortisol directly suppresses testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, lowering cortisol removes a biological brake on T production.
The testosterone data is direct, too. Lopresti et al. (2019) ran a 16-week crossover trial in aging, overweight men and found ashwagandha supplementation produced a 14.7% greater increase in testosterone compared to placebo (p = 0.010), along with an 18% increase in DHEA-S—a testosterone precursor.
Wankhede et al. (2015) tested 300mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha twice daily in 57 men doing resistance training for eight weeks. The ashwagandha group saw significantly greater increases in testosterone, bench press strength (46.0 kg vs. 26.4 kg), and arm muscle size (8.6 cm² vs. 5.3 cm²) compared to placebo. Published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, this study matters because it showed ashwagandha amplified the testosterone and strength benefits of exercise—not just resting hormone levels.
Clinical doses range from 300–600mg daily of standardized root extract.
Other Ingredients Worth Knowing
Fenugreek has moderate evidence. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found positive effects on testosterone, and a systematic review in Advances in Nutrition (2021) identified fenugreek as one of only two herbal extracts (alongside ashwagandha) with consistent positive effects across multiple studies. Effective, but the evidence base is smaller than tongkat ali or ashwagandha.
D-aspartic acid has weak evidence. A 2023 systematic review in the International Journal of Impotence Research examined 52 studies on testosterone boosters and did not identify D-aspartic acid as effective for any population studied—not athletes, not hypogonadal men, not healthy men. Save your money.
Why Coffee Is the Ideal Delivery System
The biggest advantage coffee has over capsules? You already drink it every morning. The clinical studies showing tongkat ali and ashwagandha results required daily use for 4–12 weeks. That built-in consistency is something a bottle of capsules sitting in your cabinet can't match.
There's also a timing advantage most people overlook. Cortisol peaks within 30–60 minutes of waking—the cortisol awakening response. Delivering ashwagandha during this window, when cortisol is highest and most likely to suppress testosterone, puts the ingredient exactly where it's needed.
Then there's the compliance problem. The supplement industry's dirty secret: most people stop taking capsules within 60 days. One sachet in hot water replaces multiple bottles, and you don't have to remember anything beyond your normal morning routine.
And while caffeine itself doesn't raise testosterone, the moderate dose in functional coffee (~70mg) paired with L-theanine provides clean energy without the jitters that make some men quit coffee altogether. That smooth experience is what keeps the daily habit going.
Testosterone Coffee vs. Regular Coffee vs. Mushroom Coffee
Not all "upgraded" coffees target the same outcomes. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | Testosterone Coffee (e.g., BodyBrain) | Regular Coffee | Mushroom Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testosterone Support | Yes (tongkat ali + ashwagandha) | No | No |
| Cortisol Management | Yes (ashwagandha) | No (may increase cortisol) | Partial (reishi in some blends) |
| Caffeine Content | ~70mg per serving | 95–200mg per cup | 35–50mg per serving |
| Nootropics | Yes (lion's mane, L-theanine) | No | Yes (lion's mane in some blends) |
| Adaptogens | Yes (tongkat ali, ashwagandha) | No | Varies by brand |
| Tastes Like Coffee | Yes (freeze-dried Colombian) | Yes | Often earthy/muddy |
| Price Per Serving | ~$1.50 | ~0.50–1.00 | ~2.00–3.00 |
| Best For | T support + cognitive performance | Caffeine only | Cognitive support, immune support |
Regular coffee delivers caffeine and little else. Mushroom coffees add cognitive and immune-supporting mushrooms but skip testosterone support entirely. Testosterone-formulated coffee like BodyBrain Coffee is the only category combining testosterone-supporting adaptogens with nootropics in a single serving—300mg tongkat ali (10:1 extract), 400mg ashwagandha, 600mg lion's mane, and 200mg L-theanine per sachet, all transparently dosed.
See how BodyBrain compares to other functional coffees for a deeper breakdown.
Who Should Consider Testosterone-Supporting Coffee?
Testosterone-supporting coffee isn't for everyone. It's most relevant if you're noticing signs of age-related testosterone decline.
Men over 30 noticing changes. Testosterone drops ~1.6% annually starting in the mid-30s (American College of Physicians). By 40, that's a cumulative 10–15% decline from your peak. Common signs include persistent fatigue that sleep doesn't fix, brain fog during tasks that used to feel easy, declining motivation for workouts or projects, and gym performance plateaus despite consistent training.
Stressed and under-recovered men. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which directly suppresses testosterone production. If your lifestyle includes high work pressure, poor sleep (under 7 hours), or overtraining, the cortisol-testosterone connection makes ashwagandha particularly relevant. Athletes may also benefit from using functional coffee as a pre-workout to combine testosterone support with training performance.
Men who want a simpler supplement routine. If you're already taking tongkat ali and ashwagandha in capsule form—and actually remembering to take them daily—a testosterone coffee may not add much. But if your supplement cabinet is a graveyard of half-finished bottles, consolidating into your morning coffee removes the compliance barrier.
When to see a doctor instead. If you're experiencing severe fatigue, erectile dysfunction, significant mood changes, or loss of muscle mass, get your testosterone tested. Clinically low testosterone (below 300 ng/dL) may require medical intervention—TRT, lifestyle changes under supervision, or further diagnostic workup. Functional coffee supports healthy testosterone within normal ranges; it doesn't replace medical treatment for hypogonadism.
How to Get the Most From Coffee for Testosterone
Switching your morning coffee is the easy part. Seeing real results takes a few more moves.
Choose formulas with clinical doses. Many "testosterone coffees" sprinkle in trace amounts of ingredients to put them on the label. Look for tongkat ali at 200mg+ (ideally 300mg of a 10:1 extract) and ashwagandha at 300mg+. If a brand doesn't disclose exact doses, that's a red flag.
Commit to 4–8 weeks minimum. The Talbott tongkat ali study measured results at 4 weeks. The Wankhede ashwagandha study ran 8 weeks. Adaptogenic herbs build effects over time—don't expect overnight changes and don't quit after 10 days.
Stack with lifestyle fundamentals. No supplement overcomes terrible sleep, zero exercise, and chronic stress. The men in the Wankhede study were doing resistance training alongside ashwagandha—that combination produced the strongest results. Prioritize 7+ hours of sleep, resistance training 3–4 times per week, and stress management.
What NOT to do:
- Don't exceed 400mg of caffeine daily (roughly 4–5 cups). Excessive caffeine spikes cortisol, potentially undermining the ashwagandha's cortisol-lowering effect.
- Don't combine testosterone coffee with separate high-dose tongkat ali or ashwagandha supplements without consulting a healthcare provider.
- Don't skip sleep to drink more coffee. Sleep deprivation tanks testosterone harder than any supplement can raise it—one week of 5-hour nights can reduce testosterone by 10–15% (Leproult & Van Cauter, JAMA, 2011).
About the Authors
Davey and Luis J. Gomez founded BodyBrain Coffee after discovering they both had low testosterone. Davey tested at 210 ng/dL—well below the normal range of 359–498 ng/dL for men aged 30–34. Frustrated with jittery, ineffective coffee and determined to optimize their health, they created the functional coffee they wished existed: premium freeze-dried Colombian beans combined with adaptogens and nootropics to fuel both mind and body. Luis J. Gomez is also a comedian, podcaster, and co-founder of GaS Digital Network.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does coffee affect testosterone levels?
Plain coffee has no consistent effect on testosterone in clinical research. The largest analysis of NHANES data (1999–2012) found no significant association between caffeine intake and serum testosterone in men. A smaller 2022 study found a slight inverse correlation, but the odds of clinically low testosterone were not statistically significant. For most men drinking 1–3 cups daily, coffee's hormonal impact is negligible.
Can functional coffee boost testosterone?
Functional coffee formulated with specific adaptogens can support healthy testosterone production.* The key ingredients are tongkat ali and ashwagandha—both backed by randomized controlled trials showing measurable effects on testosterone. A 2022 meta-analysis found tongkat ali significantly increased total testosterone across five RCTs (p = 0.001). The coffee itself is the delivery vehicle; the adaptogens do the work.
What is testosterone coffee?
Testosterone coffee is functional coffee infused with ingredients clinically studied for testosterone support—primarily tongkat ali and ashwagandha. Unlike regular coffee (caffeine only) or mushroom coffee (cognitive and immune focus), testosterone coffee targets hormonal health alongside energy and focus. BodyBrain Coffee is one example, combining 300mg tongkat ali, 400mg ashwagandha, 600mg lion's mane, and 200mg L-theanine per serving.
Does caffeine lower testosterone?
Not in any clinically meaningful way for moderate drinkers. While one NHANES study found a statistical inverse association between caffeine metabolites and testosterone, the effect size was small and didn't translate to increased odds of low testosterone. The bigger risk is indirect: excessive caffeine (400mg+) spikes cortisol, and chronically elevated cortisol suppresses testosterone production in Leydig cells. Moderate intake—under 300mg daily—appears hormonally neutral.
How long does it take for testosterone-supporting coffee to work?
Expect 4–8 weeks of daily use before noticing changes. The Talbott et al. (2013) tongkat ali study measured a 37% testosterone increase at the 4-week mark. The Wankhede et al. (2015) ashwagandha study showed significant testosterone and strength gains at 8 weeks. Adaptogenic herbs build effects cumulatively—consistency matters more than any single dose.