If you want to boost the amount of HGH occurring naturally in your body, then you need to take a look at your diet. Other than training, what you eat is the most important factor for any serious gym-goer wanting to increase HGH production. These foods will help you make the most out your gym sessions and maximise your gains.
Morning glory
Melatonin-rich foods can increase the release of HGH by up to 157%. Raspberries give the best boost to your levels, so throw some on your oats for breakfast.
Clinical Endocrinology
Fish for a compliment
Vitamin D deficiency is directly related to lowered levels of male hormones, but raw fish such as salmon sashimi provides 271% of your RDA per 100g serving.
Rikshospitalet, Oslo University
Sleeping giant
Pineapple is a great source of serotonin: a hormone made between the brain and digestive tract that works as a neuro-transmitter to relax you. Eat it late to aid sleep and boost HGH.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
Well-oiled machine
Add some coconut oil (1g per kg of your bodyweight) to your pre-workout shake to boost your HGH for up to four hours – and improve your resistance training power in the process.
Journal of Endocrinology
Veg out for workouts
If you need a snack pre-gym, go vegan. Soy beans are a great source of L-arginine, which increases your hormone levels after only 30 minutes.
Department of Exercise Science at Syracuse University
Learn from lecter
Hannibal Lecter’s favourite, fava beans are high in L-dopa. This stimulates your pituitary gland to make extra growth hormone available to your muscles.
Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan
Beef up your meal
OK, you knew it would be in here. But protein benefits aside, the amino acids found in your favourite steak help you synthesise L-orthinine; a compound that raises your growth hormone by up to four times above baseline levels.
University of Houston, Texas
Pot of gold
Research shows that as little as 2g of foods high in the amino acid glutamine, such as yoghurt, is enough to raise production of HGH. Eat after dinner to top up your levels.
Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University
Photography: Johanna Parkin