Fava Beans: L-Dopa
Fava Beans: The Energy-Boosting, Healthy Heart Legumes that May Treat Parkinson’s. In addition to being a lean protein choice with lots of fiber, fava beans contain vitamin K, vitamin B6, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium and more. If that isn’t enough, they’re also some of the top high-folate foods around.
The L-dopa content in fava beans is what mainly gives it the ability to provide a positive effect on your testosterone levels. L-dopa promotes an increase in dopamine levels in the brain, as well as the levels of human growth hormone. More dopamine means more T, and more growth hormone means more muscle! The mechanism for this is that L-Dopa stimulates GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) which further acts on the testes. GnRH activates the Leydig cells within the testes, promoting hormone production.
