A French study says men who like spicy food have higher levels of testosterone. The study found that eating chili peppers may raise levels of the testosterone. Chili peppers have also been found to increase testosterone levels in rats.

Testosterone is known to increase risk taking behavior and could explain why men with higher levels seek out hotter food to prove themselves. This is the first study in which a behavioral preference for spicy food has been linked to endogenous testosterone.

French gourmets have traditionally excluded hot and spicy foods. It is believed to make men more adventurous and sexually active.

The study involved 114 men between the ages 18-44. All the men were living in Grenoble, France. Their testosterone levels were measured from saliva samples. The men were given a plate of mashed potatoes with the option to add Tabasco hot pepper sauce to taste.

The results showed that those who added the most amount of hot sauce had the highest testosterone. The researchers said it could be that the higher levels of testosterone are leading men to seek thrills and take risks by eating hotter food.

What makes chili peppers so hot? A chemical called capsaicin. This chemical binds with the pain receptor to produce the characteristic burning sensation. It is known to cause physiological changes in the body, raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins and adrenalin. It also produces the uncontrollable sweating that can sometimes accompany eating really hot food but some research has also shown it can trigger the release of hormones involved in happiness.

Other foods that boost testosterone:

·       Vitamin D

·       Tuna

·       Low-fat milk

·       Egg yolks

·       Certain cereals

·       Orange juice

·       Some shellfish: Oysters, crab, lobster

·       Occasional, lean red meat

·       White, kidney, and black beans