Study: Consuming soft drinks may increase the size of the testicles and the production of male hormones!

The study, conducted by researchers at Northwest Minzu University in China and published in the scientific journal Acta Endocrinol, aims to determine the effect of soft drinks on fertility.

Previous studies have linked soft drink consumption to reproductive functions, reduced sperm count, and reduced sperm motility.

The researchers, who relied on animal experiments to conduct the study, found that the opposite is true when it comes to testosterone, a male hormone produced mainly in the testicles, and testicle size.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers studied groups of male mice. The first group drank only water, while the remaining groups drank varying levels of Coca-Cola and Pepsi, respectively.

Over a period of 15 days, the scientists conducted tests on mice to analyze the effects of soft drink consumption, which included blood tests and measurements of weight and testicular diameter.

The study found that the testicles of rats that drank soft drinks (Pepsi or Coca-Cola) "increased significantly in size on the fifteenth day."

"The results show that a high dose of Pepsi or Coca-Cola can promote testicular growth and development," the study authors wrote.

In addition to an increase in testicular size, the researchers also found that "serum testosterone concentrations in all rats were enhanced after drinking Pepsi and Coca-Cola, suggesting that higher doses of Pepsi and Coca-Cola could improve testosterone secretion in male rats."

The team concluded: "In conclusion, drinking Coca-Cola and Pepsi can promote testicular growth, enhance testosterone secretion, and increase serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations. Our findings provided the scientific basis for understanding the effects and mechanism of soft drinks on developmental and reproductive functions." in humans, but it is also useful in preventing prostate dysfunction and cancer.”

Although the study indicated that males may suffer from increased testicular size and testosterone production as a result of soft drink consumption, the researchers stressed that the findings contradict previous studies.

One such earlier study, involving a survey of 2,500 men, suggested that sperm count decreased by 30% when a one-liter soft drink was consumed daily.

The researchers also noted that previous studies have indicated links between soft drink consumption and fertility. One study found that soft drinks are linked to changes in hormones that affect ovulation.

To date, there has been little documentation regarding the relationship between soft drink consumption and reproductive function and fertility in humans and animals, the researchers claim.

Although the researchers said more research needs to be done on the link between soft drinks and fertility, the study acknowledges that soft drink consumption "may lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes," and that previous studies indicated that "the effects of health damage from Soft drinks were dangerous for teens and children."

The latest study comes after a previous study found that "massive consumption of coffee or caffeine increases testosterone production."

As for whether you should consume soft drinks, health experts advise against drinking them due to their sugar content.

Source: The Independent

Russian doctor: Cough does not always indicate infectious diseases

Professor Alexander Karabenko, an endocrinologist, declared that coughing does not always indicate infectious diseases.

And the specialist indicates, in an interview with Radio "Sputnik", that the cough may be due to smoking or taking certain medications.

According to him, in most cases the cause of the cough is an upper or lower respiratory tract infection. Coughing is a metaphor for the body's reaction to irritation of specific receptors.

He says, "The patient may complain of sore throat and hoarseness. The cough may also be accompanied by shortness of breath and difficulty exhaling, which indicates swelling of the trachea and bronchi."

And he adds: The cough can be due to smoking, especially if the person has smoked for more than five years.

He says: "As a general rule, smokers begin to cough after about five years, when they wake up in the morning and clear their throats. This process is called the 'morning bronchial toilet'. When he smokes, the cough decreases, but this is a trick."

According to him, if a person smokes more than 30-40 years old, he will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The professor points out that, in addition to respiratory disorders, the cough may be caused by taking some medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and this condition begins at night and lasts for several minutes.

He adds, and coughing may indicate heart failure.

He says, "If a pulmonary cough causes difficulty in exhaling, then patients here have difficulty in inhaling. A cough in patients with chronic heart failure may be a harbinger of more severe complications such as pulmonary edema and cardiac asthma."

He adds: Also, coughing may indicate inflammation of the pericardium (Pericarditis).

According to him, since the causes of coughing are many and different, it is better not to self-treat it, but to see a doctor to diagnose its cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Source: Novosti