A Chinese hormone lab has released findings that could constitute the biggest promotional boost a food product ever received. Would you believe, Coke and Pepsi enlarge mouse testicles? The catch is, you have to drink a lot of pop…
I can just imagine the competitive ads launched at each other
by Coke and Pepsi in the male enhancement arena…
I emphasize, the results published in the scientific journal Acta Endocrinol, are based solely on experiments in mice at this point. But I also emphasize that mice are commonly used in proof of concept tests because they so closely mimic humans in so many ways.
But the headline on this post didn’t draw you in because you like to talk about the love lives of lab rodents…
The gist
Researchers at Northwest Minzu University in China wanted to see how fizzy soda / soft drinks effected not only testosterone levels, but testicle size as well.
They simply divided a group of mice into three cadres, feeding varying amounts per day of Coke or Pepsi. The third, a control group, received only water. Blood and weight tests, including measurements of testicle diameter, were performed at regular intervals.
What they found
Researchers were surprised to discover that, in just a little over 2 weeks, testicular size increased significantly. And testosterone levels in test subjects also increased.
“Drinking Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola could promote testis development, enhance testosterone secretion, increase serum EGF concentrations, also accelerated expressions of AR protein in the mice testes,” the study’s final report concludes.
The takeaway
But there’s more: “Our findings provided the scientific bases and for fully understanding CBs effects and their mechanism on development and reproduction functions of humans, but also benefit to prevent prostate dysfunction and cancer.”
My take
Okay. Slam on the brakes for a moment. There’s more here than shows up on the glossy surface.
First: How much Coke or Pepsi did the mice have to drink to attain ‘significant’ male enhancement? How much would that translate to for human subjects? Previous studies showed that drinking just one litre of soda every day reduced sperm quantity by 30 percent.
Second: Any difference in the results if sugar-free soda was used rather than sugar-sweetened?
Third: Has any work been done to determine the long-term effects of taking Coke or Pepsi for male enhancement?
Fourth: Another study found that soda causes alterations to hormones. Kudos to Study leaders for recognising that more research on the connection between carbonated beverages and fertility is still required.
I can think of other possible drawbacks…
~ Maggie J.