More and more, people are concerned about what’s in their food, and for good reason. Some are specifically concerned about hormones in meat and what effects those hormones could have on human health, especially testosterone levels. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, which can make it hard to tell if you should be concerned.
Hormones are often given to livestock to make them grow faster and bigger, which increases efficiency and profits for meat producers. In the U.S., it’s legal to give growth hormones to cattle. Many other countries, like those in the European Union and China, don’t allow it.
In this article, we’ll look at the types of hormones you might find in meat, how those hormones could affect your testosterone levels and overall health, the regulations surrounding hormone use in livestock, and what choices you have as a consumer. We’ll also touch on the concept of endocrine disruption, which is when chemicals interfere with your body’s hormones.
Even though the amount of hormones you’re likely to ingest from meat each day is probably quite low, it’s natural to be concerned about the potential long-term effects on your hormonal balance and overall health. Understanding the issue is the first step toward making informed choices.
Read more