Drinking Coca-Cola and Pepsi could increase testicle size and testosterone production, a new study has suggested. Researchers at the Northwest Minzu University in China carried out a fresh study, after previous investigations suggested soda consumption could reduce sperm count and have a harmful impact on reproduction functions.
Their study, looking into the impact of carbonated drinks on fertility, relied on animal testing - specifically mice. And it found that the male hormone actually increased and testes got bigger.
One group were given only water and the remaining test groups drank varying levels of Coca-Cola and Pepsi over a 15-day period, the Mirror Online reports. The scientists monitored the mice through blood tests, while also measuring weight and diameter of the testis.
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The mice on the fizzy drinks saw their testicles were "significantly increased" over the timeframe of the experiment, with the results published in the scientific journal Acta Endocrinol. One of the study authors wrote: “The outcome demonstrated a high dose of Pepsi or Coca-Cola could promote testis growth and development.”
They added: “The concentrations of serum testosterone in all mice were enhanced after the Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola treatment." This “indicated that high doses of Pepsi and Coca-Cola could improve testosterone secretion of male mice”.
“In conclusion, drinking Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola could promote testis development, enhance testosterone secretion, increase serum EGF concentrations. Our findings provided the scientific basis for fully understanding [carbonated beverages] effects and their mechanism on development and reproduction functions of humans, but also benefit to prevent prostate dysfunction and cancer."
The researchers, however, reiterated that their findings contradict previous studies. One survey cited involved 2,500 men and found sperm quantity was reduced by 30 percent after drinking a one-litre carbonated beverage every day.
Another found fizzy drinks are also linked to alterations in hormones that affect ovulation. In a report published on ScienceDirect, the researchers concluded: "Higher intake of sugared soda was associated with lower total, mature, and fertilized oocytes and top-quality embryos after ovarian stimulation."
Another study found that “massive consumption of coffee or caffeine increased testosterone production”.
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