What meats have high estrogen content?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

While all living organisms, including animals, naturally produce hormones like estrogen, the levels found in certain meat and dairy products are often discussed in relation to human health. Understanding the sources of estrogen in our food can help individuals make more informed dietary choices, especially for those concerned about hormonal balance.

Quick Summary

Meat and dairy products naturally contain estrogen, but boar meat and goose fat may have particularly high levels. While added growth hormones are regulated, especially in US beef, some studies suggest that processed and red meats in general can influence estrogen levels.

Key Points

Naturally Occurring Estrogens: All meat contains natural animal estrogens, but the quantity is typically far too small to impact human hormone levels significantly.
Growth Hormones in Beef: FDA-approved hormone implants in beef cattle result in negligible increases in estrogenic activity compared to the body's own production.
No Hormones in Chicken: The use of growth hormones in poultry is banned by the FDA, dispelling common myths about chicken and high estrogen levels.
Processed and Red Meats: Some research links high consumption of processed and red meat to elevated estrogen, but this is more related to overall dietary patterns and weight gain than specific hormone content.
Dietary Context: Foods like soy products, flax seeds, and many vegetables contain phytoestrogens, which can have an estrogen-like effect, often in much higher concentrations than found in meat.
Overall Health Matters: A balanced diet, rich in fiber and plants, combined with a healthy weight, is a more impactful strategy for managing estrogen levels than focusing solely on trace amounts in meat.

Do Meats Contain High Levels of Estrogen?

The idea that consuming meat significantly alters human estrogen levels is a complex topic that involves naturally occurring hormones in animals, regulated additions of growth hormones, and the overall impact of dietary patterns. While all animal products contain trace amounts of hormones, some types of meat and preparation methods are more closely linked to potential hormonal effects on the human body.

The Role of Naturally Occurring Hormones

Estrogens are a class of hormones vital for development and reproduction in both animals and humans. All animals naturally produce these hormones, so any meat, milk, or eggs derived from them will contain some level of natural steroids. The concentration varies depending on the animal species, age, and physiological state.

For example, pregnant animals naturally have significantly higher hormone levels, which can be reflected in their products. Similarly, certain tissues in boars (male pigs) and geese are noted for having higher concentrations of estrogens compared to other adult animals. The key question, however, is whether the levels found in consumed food are high enough to cause a physiological effect in humans. Most scientific and regulatory bodies, like the FDA, conclude that these levels are far too small to influence human estrogen levels significantly.

Hormones Added During Production

Historically, synthetic hormones have been used in some livestock, particularly beef cattle, to promote faster growth. The FDA rigorously regulates this practice, and the amount of added hormones is minimal compared to the body's natural production. In fact, the FDA has banned the use of any hormones in poultry production since the 1950s.

Beef: In the US, some beef cattle receive hormone implants to increase growth efficiency. However, the resulting estrogenic activity is only slightly higher than that of non-implanted cattle and is still inconsequential compared to the hormones naturally produced by the human body.
Poultry: The use of hormones in chicken is prohibited by the FDA, a fact that is often misunderstood due to misconceptions about larger modern chickens. Any hormones present are naturally occurring within the animal.
Pork: While less data exists on estrogen in pork, studies have reported finding estrogenic compounds, especially in boar tissues. However, like other meats, levels are not considered significant enough to cause a hormonal imbalance in humans.

The Impact of Processed and Red Meats

Regardless of naturally occurring or added hormones, some studies link high consumption of processed and red meats to higher estrogen levels in certain populations, particularly women. This link is often attributed to the overall dietary pattern rather than just the meat itself. For example, a Western diet rich in processed and red meats, saturated fats, and refined grains is often associated with higher body fat, and fat tissue is a significant producer of estrogen.

Comparison of Estrogenic Activity in Foods

To put the estrogen content of meat into perspective, it's helpful to compare it to other foods and the human body's own production.


Food Item (serving size)	Estrogenic Activity (nanograms)	Notes
6 oz. Beef (Treated)	3.8 ng	Estrogenic effect is minimal compared to human production.
6 oz. Beef (Non-Treated)	2.6 ng	Negligibly lower than treated beef; still very low.
8 fl. oz. Milk	34 ng	Contains naturally occurring hormones from cows.
1 tbsp. Soybean Oil	28,370 ng	High in phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen.
4 oz. Cabbage	2,700 ng	Contains plant-based phytoestrogens.
Adult Male (Daily Production)	~136,000 ng	This is the body's own, daily endogenous production.

Note: Phytoestrogens, found in plants like soy and cabbage, can have an estrogen-like effect, but their potency varies significantly from mammalian estrogens.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective

The notion that certain meats have high estrogen content is often oversimplified. While meat does contain natural hormones, the quantities are generally considered negligible in their effect on human endocrine function when consumed as part of a balanced diet. The primary concerns regarding meat and estrogen are more related to overall dietary patterns—such as a Western diet high in red and processed meats—which can contribute to obesity and other health issues that, in turn, affect hormone levels. For those concerned about hormonal balance, a more effective strategy involves adopting a fiber-rich, plant-centric diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting processed foods, rather than fixating solely on trace hormones in meat. Ultimately, a balanced lifestyle approach is key to supporting hormonal health. For more information on food safety regulations, you can consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, chicken meat does not contain high levels of estrogen. The use of hormones in poultry has been prohibited by the FDA since the 1950s, and any estrogen present is naturally occurring and in quantities too low to impact human health.

While animal products contain natural hormones, the amounts are typically insignificant compared to your body's own production. The main concern is linked to consuming large amounts of processed and red meat as part of an unhealthy Western-style diet, which can promote obesity and affect hormone balance.

The FDA regulates hormone use in beef, and the resulting estrogenic activity is minimal. An adult human produces thousands of times more estrogen daily than what is found in a serving of hormone-treated beef.

Boar meat and goose fat have been reported to contain particularly high levels of estrogenic compounds compared to other commonly consumed meats. However, the overall impact on human health from consumption is still generally considered minor.

Many plant-based foods, such as soy and cabbage, contain phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and are often present in higher quantities than natural animal estrogens found in meat. Their potency and effects, however, are different from mammalian estrogen.

The estrogen content in both organic and conventional meat is generally very low and safe for consumption. The decision to buy organic is more about personal preference and cost, as the hormonal difference is negligible in a standard serving.

A more effective strategy is to focus on a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, which helps promote healthy estrogen levels. Maintaining a healthy weight and limiting highly processed foods are also key factors.