13 Estrogenic Foods And Products To Avoid For Your Health


Recent research suggests that obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and mood disorders could be linked to estrogen dominance. High levels of estrogen squashes your testosterone, which can lead to poor sexual function, lowered libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, brain fog, and other health concerns.

Both men and women need estrogen for growth and development, but too much estrogen can damage the body. More and more studies are coming out that show our foods and environment are filled with synthetic estrogens. These artificial hormones disrupt the natural endocrine production and create an unhealthy balance of high estrogen and low testosterone.

If you want to maintain your health and reduce your risk of hormone-related concerns, you need to watch your estrogen intake in your foods and environment.

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women. It’s usually considered a “female” hormone, because it gives females their feminine characteristics, including the regulation of the menstrual cycle. But men also need estrogen for growth and development.

Men need to be highly aware of their estrogen levels. If these levels are even slightly above normal, it can impact testosterone and insulin. Low levels of estrogen can predispose men to osteoporosis, brain changes (like memory loss), and unbalanced hormones. When estrogen levels are off, the other hormones unbalance in tandem, creating a body-wide endocrine disaster. This hormone imbalance can create a number of health concerns, including low testosterone.

What are the health concerns of excess estrogen?

Excess estrogen in men is linked to a number of serious health concerns that can impact short-term and long-term health.

Estrogen dominance is a toxic condition. Estrogen is the hormone that promotes growth and development. Too much estrogen is linked to the growth and spread of cancerous tumors. Researchers have especially studied the connection between excess estrogen and breast cancer in both men and women. Excess estrogen may also increase the risk for testicular and prostatic cancers.

Read: Does My Husband Have Prostate Cancer?


High levels of estrogen are also linked to weight gain. Estrogen likes to “hold on” to fat cells, which can make weight loss a challenge. Excess estrogen also upsets insulin levels. Insulin metabolizes sugar; when insulin is out of whack, it doesn’t fully process these sugars. If insulin can’t remove sugar from the bloodstream, the body starts storing that sugar as fat. This creates weight gain and eventually can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Reducing estrogen levels and increasing testosterone levels can increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass.

Excess estrogen can also cause thyroid concerns and depress the immune system. Other health concerns from this hormone imbalance include:

  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Lowered sperm counts
  • Infertility
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • Liver fatigue (liver works to reduce estrogen)

How do you know if you have excess estrogen?

In most cases, the symptoms of excess estrogen in men are similar to those of low testosterone (because high estrogen will suppress testosterone levels). These symptoms include:

  • Low libido
  • Thyroid imbalances
  • Digestive issues
  • Infertility
  • Fatigue
  • Depression

Where does excess estrogen come from?

It’s surprisingly common for men to have elevated estrogen levels, especially as testosterone declines with age. Combined with a high intake of estrogenic foods and an estrogen-filled environment, there is a perfect storm for high estrogen levels in men.

Xenoestrogens are chemical, synthetic compounds that mimic the structure of estrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that also show estrogenic properties. In the body, these xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens not only raise estrogen levels but also disrupt the endocrine system overall.

These synesthetic estrogens are popping up more and more in our environment. From the foods we consume to the chemicals in our household products, “estrogen” is everywhere—and it’s seeping into our systems and impacting our health.

Below you’ll find the 10 foods and 13 products to avoid in order to maintain a healthy hormone balance.

  1. Soy


Soy contains isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen (the plant compounds that mimic estrogen). Isoflavones interrupt the endocrine (hormone) system and depress thyroid function. The thyroid helps regulate the metabolism, control hormones, and more; this dysfunction can contribute to metabolic syndrome.

Along with the isoflavones in soy, most soy grown in the U.S. is genetically engineered with heavy herbicides. In fact, more than 94% of soy grown in the U.S. is GMO (genetically modified). Farmers inject hormones into the soy plants in order to artificially engineer their growth and development. The plants hold on to these hormone-xenoestrogens throughout their life cycles. You then directly consume these synthetic hormones when you consume the soy.

Moreover, studies have shown “extreme” levels of glyphospate in U.S. soy. Glyphosate has been proven to increase estrogenic activity. If you are worried about and want to reduce your glysophate intake but aren’t sure how to go about it, there are therapies that offer up a foot detox, it supposedly pulls out all of those nasty toxins in your system bringing them into the water and helping the detoxification of your body making it healthier. Always check with a medical professional first before trying any alternative therapies.

  1. Meat & Dairy

Estrogenic hormones are used in excess on cow farms. The animals are fed synthetic estrogens to grow and stay healthy. This injected estrogen doesn’t disintegrate or go away, so you absorb these hormones when you consume any meat or dairy roducts. In this case, you really are what you eat.

Moreover, a number of farms force-feed their livestock soybeans, so you’re getting the estrogenic properties of the soybeans as well. They also spray the cow feed with pesticides that are considered estrogenic.


A number of farms use zeranol to enhance meat production. Zeranol is banned in the European Union, but it’s still prevalent in the U.S. Little is known about the negative health effects of zeranol, but several studies have shown a link between zeranol and early puberty and breast development in prepubescent boys and girls.

Dairy can be especially high in estrogen. In fact, nearly 80% of our dietary intake of estrogen comes from cow’s milk. Cows produce milk in order to feed to their young when pregnant or nursing, which is also when their estrogen levels are higher. In order to make milk, the cow needs to have high levels of estrogen; like other hormones, that estrogen goes into milk as well.

Injected hormones, pesticide estrogens, and the cow’s estrogen all leads to an excess of estrogen in meat and dairy that can drastically impact hormonal levels.

  1. Wheat

The Scripps Research Institute found that zearalenone colonizes on corn, barley, wheat, and other grains. Zearalenone is a fungus that mimics estrogen in the body. This research found that zearalenone actually reduces the anti-estrogen effects of breast cancer treatment.

In order to get rid of naturally-occurring zearalenone, farmers spray the plants with hormone-filled herbicides. With wheat, you could be consuming either estrogenic zearalenone fungus or estrogenic herbicides. It’s a catch-22 that can drastically impact hormones levels.

Also, certain types of wheat can cause inflammation in the gut. Chronic inflammation is the primary—though silent—cause of a number of diseases, like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, prostate disorders, and more.

  1. Flaxseeds


Flaxseeds are a “super food” powerhouse filled with high fiber and omega-3s. However, flaxseeds are also high in phytoestrogens, drastically disrupting the endocrine system. 100g of flax has nearly 379,380 micrograms of estrogen. Watermelon, in comparison, has 2.9 micrograms of estrogen.

Flax also contains lignans, which have estrogenic properties. In some people, lingans may inhibit cancer cell growth, while in others it can stimulate cancer cells. It’s recommended to avoid lingans and flaxseeds when already diagnosed with cancer or going through cancer treatment, but research is inconclusive about lingans’ ability to lower cancer risk in a preventative way.

Despite its natural health benefits, flax is becoming more and more genetically modified as it grows in popularity. This genetic modification uses estrogenic hormones, like we discussed soy and dairy products. Thus, you can still eat this super food for all the great fiber and omega-3 fatty acids—but look for organic or pure flaxseeds and flaxseed oil.

  1. Sugar

Sugar causes a spike in insulin. A spike in insulin lowers the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to excess estrogen and testosterone to naturally maintain healthy hormone levels.

When SHBG is low, estrogen and testosterone increase because SHBG isn’t there to remove the excess hormones. Thus, when insulin spikes and creates a drop in SHBG, estrogen levels increase in tandem.

Read: 7 Foods Causing Your Erectile Dysfunction

  1. Alcohol


Studies have shown heightened estrogen activity after consumption of beer, wine, and bourbon. Alcohol triggers a release of estrogen while depressing testosterone, which can create a short-term impact on hormones. With heavy drinking, this can create a chronic imbalance of hormones.

The hops in beer contain a phytoestrogen that especially disrupts natural hormones. This is one reason for the beer belly; too much beer is not only high in calories but it’s also high in estrogen, which “holds on” to belly fat. You might want to try the Dherbs detox water recipe to help eliminate any stubborn belly fat.

  1. Processed foods

High fatty and carb foods increase bodily inflammation and raise estrogen levels. Be aware of processed foods like pastries, white bread, pretzels, fried foods, and other heavy carbs. You want to incorporate carbs and fats into a well-balanced diet—but opt for healthy carbs and fats like avocados, olive oil, and vegetables.

Read: Why You Should Never Eat A High-Protein Diet If You Want To Build Muscle

  1. Food additives

A number of food additives and preservatives can also possess estrogenic effects. This includes 4-hexylrescorcinol, which is used to prevent the discoloration of shrimp, and propyl gallate often found in vegetable oil, meat products, chicken soup base, and chewing gum.

  1. Legumes


Legumes are great for health, but they’re also high in estrogenic properties. Chickpeas, red beans, black-eyed peas, green peas, and split peas are all legumes. Black beans have nearly 5,330 micrograms of estrogen per 100g and hummus has 993 micrograms of estrogen per 100g. This won’t drastically impact your health, but be aware of your legume intake when trying to maintain healthy testosterone levels.

  1. Non-organic produce

Most produce is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides that have high levels of estrogenic hormones. Even with a thorough washing, you’re still ingesting a number of these chemicals and synthetic hormones. Try to eat organic produce when possible. Even some “organic” products aren’t 100% hormone-free, so make sure you’re researching your food labels.

Note: Farmed salmon is also high in hormones and antibiotics. Eat wild-caught salmon when possible.

  1. Plastic water bottles


Some plastic water bottles contain BPA (bisphenol A), which is a xenoestrogen. BPA is a synthetic compound that has been studied extensively for its effect on human safety and exposure. You’ll find BPA in plastic water bottles, canned foods and drinks, cash register receipts, and keg liners.

BPA in plastics can leech into the drinking water in the plastic bottle, where it’s then absorbed into your bloodstream. A 2013 study found that BPA disrupts the normal estrogenic receptors, potentially triggering obesity, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and cancer.

Another study found that estrogen activity was three times higher when water was packed in PET plastic bottles compared to glass.

  1. Tap water

You can also find estrogen residue in your tap water supply. Some people blame this residue on people flushing birth control pills down the toilet, but this is only partially true. In most cases, the estrogen found in our tap water is due to a runoff of herbicides and pesticides from farms and agricultural plants. This can end up recirculating in the water supply, causing you to glug down water filled with synthetic estrogen.

Most filters can remove estrogen from your water supply.

  1. Phthalates

Like BPA, phthalates interrupt estrogen receptors, creating an increase in free-floating estrogen. Research has linked phthalates with prostate cancer as well, possibly due to this estrogen dominance.

There are phthalates in synthetic scents (cologne), vinyl, laundry detergents, and plastic cling wrap. When possible, choose natural home products to avoid these estrogen-disrupting chemicals.

How to avoid extra estrogen

What can you do to avoid this intake of environmental and dietary estrogen? How can you keep your estrogen levels as consistent as possible?

  1. Avoid plastic bottles and plastic use. Never heat plastics in the dishwasher or microwave, as this can release the chemicals into the water or food.
  2. Don’t use nonstick cookware, which can have BTA.
  3. Avoid vinyl curtains and flooring.
  4. Choose fresh or frozen foods. Canned foods and drinks can contain BPA in the lining.
  5. Don’t accept receipts or store them in your purse or pockets.
  6. Use coconut, olive, or avocado oil in place of vegetable oil.
  7. Avoid dairy and soy. Instead, drink goat milk or nut milk (almond, cashew).
  8. Choose organic and grass-fed animal products. Choose organic produce when possible. Look at the label to see if it’s hormone-free and pesticide-free.
  9. Drink filtered water.
  10. Exercise often. This helps minimize body fat, which can keep your estrogen levels healthy. This is also important to conquer metabolic syndrome, overcome erectile dysfunction, normalize hormones, and improve overall health.
  11. Eat a lot of greens. Greens help pull out excess estrogen and detox your body. I recommend cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.

(Some people recommend a dandelion and milk thistle detox, but the results can be varied and side effects are strong.)

The Bottom Line

If you want to maintain a healthy hormonal balance with strong testosterone levels, you need to avoid estrogen excess or dominance. But in today’s world, estrogen is everywhere: in our food, in our water, and even in our laundry detergents. The more you subject your body to these synthetic estrogens, the more unbalanced your own hormonal system will get.

Keep your hormones in check by avoiding the above 13 foods and products and consistently, regularly detoxing.

Want more advice on what you should and shouldn’t be eating or using?

Sign up for the Male 90X program. This genetic-based report and private consultation will give you the tools you need to achieve your maximum potential.

7 Foods Causing Your Erectile Dysfunction


Erectile dysfunction is caused by a number of factors, from psychological concerns to diabetes to side effects from prostate cancer treatment. ED is a problem that’s all too common, affecting 52% of all men at some point in their lives. Because erectile dysfunction is so prevalent, the last thing you want is to submit yourself to certain foods that are known to contribute to poor sexual health.

Avoiding the below 7 foods can help you prevent and treat symptoms of ED. I’ll even present you with erection-happy alternatives!

But first what’s the link between what your food and your sexual health?

How do foods contribute to erectile dysfunction?

There are three major reasons that the food you consume has an influence on the function of your penis.

Hormones: A hormonal imbalance or unhealthy endocrine system is directly correlated to erectile dysfunction. The foods that you eat give your body the nutrients it uses to create hormones. Give your body the wrong foods, and it creates an imbalance of unhealthy hormones like cortisol and insulin. Give it the right foods, and you can have high levels of testosterone and growth hormone (which are great for your sex life). Learn more from my article “5 Simple Ways to Normalize Hormones This Week.”

Heart and vessels: The food that you consume directly hurts or helps your heart and vessel health. In “13 Natural, Edible Vasodilators To Treat Your ED,” I discuss how blood flow is crucial to sexual health. You need proper blood flow in order to fill your penis with blood and create a hard erection. This blood flow to the penis starts with a healthy heart and vessels.

Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and clogged arteries all restrict blood flow and damage nerves. This means the blood can’t get to the penis and create an erection. In fact, ED is often considered the first sign of heart disease. To prevent this, you need to eat foods that promote a healthy heart and blood flow.

Moreover, medicines for heart disease and blood pressure can actually cause ED as well. This means that it’s best to avoid cardiovascular problems altogether by avoiding heart-clogging foods.

Weight: Fat mass is highly correlated with ED. Being overweight or obese is one of the leading causes of erectile dysfunction in men of all ages. Eating unhealthy foods can lead to a higher chance of fat gain, which can contribute to ED.

So what foods should you avoid to keep your hormones balanced, your cardiovascular system clear, and your weight regulated?

1. Packaged foods

Firstly, processed carbs found in packaged foods will make you gain weight at a higher rate than natural, organic foods. A higher number on the scale means a higher risk of ED.

More significantly, packaged foods tend to have high levels of BPA (Bisphenol-A). This is a chemical found in plastics and the linings of canned foods. Research has shown that BPA significantly inhibits the production of sex hormones and reduces sexual function. A 5-year study of Chinese workers exposed to BPA had erectile problems 4x greater than men not exposed. They also had a lower sex drive and lower satisfaction with their sex lives. A Slovenian study also found that there was a statistically significant association between BPA and decreased sperm concentration, count, vitality, and motility.

This is likely because chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides can disrupt the endocrine system. This hormonal imbalance can cause severe erectile dysfunction that’s hard to overcome.


Plus, BPA may even be linked to brain damage, heart disease, obesity, and prostate cancer—all of which can cause erectile dysfunction and other serious symptoms.

Alternatives:

Avoid purchasing pre-packaged goods. Instead, buy whole foods and store them in glass or ceramic containers. Look for products labeled “BPA free.” Also be aware of plastic bottles—like water bottles—which have high levels of BPA. Stick to purified water from the tap.

Moreover, you should never microwave plastic containers or put them in the dishwasher, as the heat can release these BPA chemicals. The BPA can then transfer to your food and cause hormonal imbalances and ED.

2. Animal meats

Animal fat can clog your veins and lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. These problems, in turn, cause erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, eating too much protein such as red meat, has been shown to reduce testosterone production.


Lowered T and a hormonal imbalance further contribute to ED. In this way, it’s important to balance out your macronutrients: 50% carbs, 30% proteins, and 20% fats. You can learn more about balancing your foods for overall well-being and sexual health in my 4-week Vitality Transformation course.

Alternatives:

You don’t need to cut out animal fat altogether. In fact, I’m an advocate for eating red meat sometimes! Red meat in small doses can actually help boost your testosterone and muscle-making processes. But, moderation is the key. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Try to minimize your red meat intake to once per week to see the T-boosting benefits without the heart concerns.

Choose grass-fed or organic beef and meats. This will help you avoid any chemicals and pesticides like we discussed above with the processed foods.

Try getting your proteins from plants and fatty fish that are rich in omega-3s as well. Olive oil, avocado, seeds, and nuts are all a great source of protein and are part of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Men who derive their protein from a Mediterranean diet have a lower incidence of ED.

3. Soy and Flaxseed

Your hormones hate soy. Soy is highly estrogenic—meaning it can mimic the female hormone estrogen. Excessive estrogen can inhibit testosterone production and lower sexual libido and function. You need the right balance of estrogen and testosterone for healthy functions—and soy throws off that balance. This, in turn, can cause low T symptoms and erectile dysfunction.

Research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition proved that soy drastically reduces testosterone levels. A Harvard study found that even half of a serving of soy per day cut sperm count by 40% in healthy males.

Flaxseed also has incredibly high levels of estrogen. Per 100g of soy, there are 103,920 mcg of estrogen. Per 100g of flaxseed, there are 379,380 mcg of estrogen. Compare that to watermelon—which can raise T levels and minimize ED symptoms—which has 2.9 mcg of estrogen per 100g.

Alternatives:

Fermented soy is actually good for your digestive system. If you’re a lover of soy, stick to the fermented types like miso soup or tempeh.

If you tend to use soy because you are lactose intolerant, try almond or cashew milk instead. Almonds are a key part of the Mediterranean diet, which can help prevent ED (as discussed above). Almonds and other nuts have been shown to actually treat ED by clearing out the cardiovascular system for better blood flow. They’re also linked to a longer, healthier life.

4. Dairy

Dairy products tend to be high in saturated fat, which leads to blockages in the heart and vessels. These clogs then prevent blood from flowing to the penis.


Moreover, dairy products often come from cows that are fed with artificial hormones. These kinds of pesticides or hormones can disrupt the human endocrine system drastically. A study in the Human Reproduction journal found that men who consumed dairy products regularly had significantly less sperm motility and erectile function than those who avoided dairy.

Alternatives:

You don’t need to cut out dairy entirely. Just lower your intake and focus on organic products (where cows are not fed hormones).

Like the soy alternative, try almond or cashew milk. This can help you get that same creamy flavor to add to your cereal or coffee. You can even find these nut milks fortified with vitamin D to make sure you are getting your “dairy” vitamins.

You can also replace cheese with veggie cheese, which you can find in most grocery stores. I’ll admit most veggie cheese doesn’t taste great right out of the bag, but melt it in your omelet or on a Panini and it tastes just like real cheese!

5. Fried foods

Fried foods severely clog up your heart and vessels, causing heart disease, high cholesterol, and even some cancers. These foods also lead to heavy amounts of weight gain, which directly generates severe ED.

Stop eating fried foods now. When you cut out these foods, you’ll start to feel more energetic and bright within days.

Alternatives:

I know. Fried foods are delicious. But you don’t need to sacrifice taste. Check out this Buzzfeed article with healthy alternatives to fried foods. Definitely try number 4, the baked falafel and spicy feta yogurt dip. It’ll kick start you on that Mediterranean diet that’s great for preventing and treating erectile dysfunction.

6. Salt

Similarly, you need to put down the salt shaker. Salt contributes to cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, and diminished blood flow—which all inhibit that hard erection you so long for.

Alternatives:

Try low-sodium salt when cooking. This will bring out the flavor of your food without adding too much sodium to your diet.

You should also consider seasoning your food with garlic and olive oil, both of which can raise testosterone and lessen symptoms of erectile dysfunction!

7. Alcohol

Although technically not a food, high amounts of alcohol severely damage sexual performance. Drinking heavily and regularly can eliminate testosterone from the body and inhibit the production of testosterone. This creates a double whammy for low T symptoms and possible erectile dysfunction. Plus, chronic drinking can also cause liver damage, nerve damage, and heart damage.

Beer especially throws off the balance of sex hormones. The hops in beer are highly estrogenic, meaning that it can mimic estrogen and inhibit testosterone production in the body. This low testosterone hurts libido and erectile function. It will also contribute to fat storage and weight gain, further worsening or generating your ED.

Alternatives:

Less than 2 drinks per day likely won’t have an effect on your erectile dysfunction. Keep it moderate.

If you’re going to drink, stick to wine. Wine is part of the Mediterranean diet we’ve been discussing, and it can help lessen symptoms of ED. Moreover, wine contains flavonoids and antioxidants that can lower cardiovascular risk and fight off oxidative stress (oxidative stress causes diseases and cancers).  One study even suggested, “a higher habitual intake of specific flavonoid-rich foods is associated with reduced ED incidence.”

Bottom Line

Keep your penis healthy by eating foods that keep your heart, hormones, and weight healthy. Avoid processed foods, animal meats, soy, flaxseed, dairy, fried foods, salt, and alcohol to lower your risk of developing low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.

So what should you be eating? Check out my article with the 13 Natural, Edible Vasodilators To Treat Your ED to keep your vessels and heart healthy… and to keep your ED symptoms at bay.

These 7 foods are just the tip of the iceberg to keeping your body (and penis) vigorous. If you want to feel the best you’ve ever felt in your life, sign up for our Male 90X program right now to get on the road to the happy, fulfilled, and vibrant life you’ve been craving.