Do Testosterone Boosters Work? What a Study of 50 Supplements Found

By ValueReviewHub Editorial · Sources checked September 28, 2026 · How we review

“Testosterone booster” supplements promise more energy, strength and libido without a prescription. When researchers checked what these products contain and whether the research supports their claims, the gap was striking. A 2020 study in the World Journal of Men’s Health found that 90% of the products analyzed claimed to boost testosterone, but only 24.8% had published data supporting that claim. Here is what that study found, what actually affects testosterone, and when to see a doctor instead.

What the research found

Clemesha and colleagues analyzed 50 “T booster” supplements found through a Google search, identified their ingredients and reviewed the published literature for each one.

Finding	Result
Products claiming to “boost T”	90%
Products claiming to “improve libido”	50%
Unique ingredients found	109 (average 8.3 per product)
Had data showing a testosterone increase	24.8%
Had data showing a testosterone decrease	10.1%
Had data showing no change	18.3%
No data at all on testosterone	61.5%
Products exceeding an FDA Upper Limit (zinc, vitamin B3, magnesium)	13 products

The products also contained very high doses of some vitamins and minerals. Median amounts were 1,291% of the RDA for vitamin B12 and 272% for zinc. The authors concluded that patients should be told these supplements “may not have ingredients to support their claims”.

Common ingredients and the evidence

Ingredient	Evidence in brief
Zinc	Needed for normal hormone function, but extra zinc is unlikely to help men who aren’t deficient. High doses carry risks. Zinc guide
Vitamin D	Deficiency is common. Test before supplementing rather than assuming it will raise testosterone.
Fenugreek, ashwagandha, tongkat ali	Small studies with mixed results. Product quality and doses vary widely.
Tribulus terrestris	Popular, but human evidence for raising testosterone is weak
Saw palmetto	No strong evidence for testosterone. Large trials found no benefit for prostate symptoms. Details

What actually affects testosterone

Body weight: excess body fat is associated with lower testosterone.
Sleep: short or poor-quality sleep can lower levels.
Medical conditions and medicines: diabetes, pituitary problems, opioids and some other medicines can play a role.
Age: levels tend to decline gradually.
Alcohol and general health: heavy drinking and chronic illness can affect hormones.

When to see a doctor

Symptoms such as low libido, erectile problems, fatigue, low mood or loss of muscle have many possible causes. If you’re concerned about low testosterone, ask for a proper evaluation. Clinical practice is to confirm low testosterone with repeat morning blood tests alongside symptoms, and to look for underlying causes. Prescription testosterone therapy has specific benefits and risks and needs medical supervision.

Warning: some “male enhancement” products sold as supplements have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs. Read Male enhancement supplements: FDA warnings about hidden drugs before buying anything in this category.

FAQ

Do natural testosterone boosters work?

Most have little or no evidence of raising testosterone, according to the 2020 analysis. Some contain ingredients linked to lower testosterone.

Are testosterone boosters safe?

Risks include excessive vitamin and mineral doses (13 of the 50 products exceeded an FDA Upper Limit) and, in some products, hidden drugs.

Sources

Medical note: This article is general education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition. Read our medical disclaimer.