Monograph 08 · hormones
Testosterone support claims versus what a blood test shows
The seller describes the Soda Boost supplement as offering “overall testosterone support”. Controlled studies of its herbs show little or no rise in testosterone, analyses of online boosters find claims far ahead of evidence, and the only way to know your level is two early-morning blood tests.
Updated November 7, 2026Technical dossier
What the herbs did to testosterone
| Herb | Study | Testosterone result |
|---|---|---|
| Tribulus terrestris | Controlled trial in young men[1] | No change |
| Maca | 12-week trial, 1.5 to 3 g/day[2] | No change (desire rose anyway) |
| Ashwagandha | 8-week crossover in men 40 to 70[3] | Modest rise; vitality not better than placebo |
| Herbs overall | Systematic review[4] | Few herbs with consistent effects; small studies |
None of these studies used doses near the gummy's ceilings, which are 5 mg for tribulus and ashwagandha and 33.5 mg for maca. If gram doses barely move testosterone, milligram doses will not.
What analyses of booster products found
Researchers who examined the top online testosterone boosters found that most made testosterone claims, yet only a minority of their ingredients had any supporting data, and some products exceeded safe intake limits for certain nutrients[5]. A second review reached the same conclusion: composition and claims are not supported by the academic literature[6]. The Soda Boost supplement fits the pattern in its claims, though its tiny doses make overdose of anything implausible.
How low testosterone is actually diagnosed
The urology guideline asks for two total testosterone measurements taken early in the morning, on different days, below the diagnostic threshold, together with symptoms such as low desire, fewer morning erections or fatigue[7]. Testosterone runs highest in the morning and varies day to day, which is why one random test is not enough. Treatment, when appropriate, is a prescription matter.
Why this matters before you buy
- If your symptoms are hormonal, a supplement delays the test that would show it.
- If your problem is erections, the guideline-recommended evaluation also checks heart risk[8], and ED can be an early warning of cardiovascular disease[9].
- If your levels are normal, a “booster” has nothing to correct.
A fair way to use the gummy
Treat the Soda Boost supplement as what its evidence supports: a low-dose botanical gummy whose effect, if any, will show in how you feel rather than in a lab value. Track desire and energy with the weekly log, decide by day 45, and get a blood test if symptoms persist. Do not expect it to raise testosterone, and do not use it in place of an evaluation you need.
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Sources
- 1Neychev VK, Mitev VI. The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;101(1-3):319-323.
- 2Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002;34(6):367-372.
- 3Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985.
- 4Smith SJ, Lopresti AL, Teo SYM, Fairchild TJ. Examining the effects of herbs on testosterone concentrations in men: a systematic review. Adv Nutr. 2021;12(3):744-765.
- 5Balasubramanian A, Thirumavalavan N, Srivatsav A, et al. Testosterone imposters: an analysis of popular online testosterone boosting supplements. J Sex Med. 2019;16(2):203-212.
- 6Clemesha CG, Thaker H, Samplaski MK. 'Testosterone boosting' supplements composition and claims are not supported by the academic literature. World J Mens Health. 2020;38(1):115-122.
- 7Mulhall JP, Trost LW, Brannigan RE, et al. Evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2018;200(2):423-432.
- 8Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al. Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641.
- 9Vlachopoulos CV, Terentes-Printzios DG, Ioakeimidis NK, Aznaouridis KA, Stefanadis CI. Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2013;6(1):99-109.