Contrary to what the internet may say, there is no magic food or supplement that can prevent erectile dysfunction (ED). Even so, diet and other lifestyle factors can play a role in contributing to or protecting against the development of DM. The following are ways in which a person’s diet can affect their chance of getting this condition.
A consistently healthy diet can help maintain erectile function.
As with many things in life, what a person does most of the time matters more than what they do occasionally. This means that the occasional hamburger in an otherwise healthy eating routine is probably not a cause for concern. However, research shows that a diet that consistently emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, legumes and fish and generally avoids whole dairy and red and processed meats can support healthy erectile function. Often referred to as the “Mediterranean diet,” this style of eating has been shown to have many health benefits.
A prospective cohort study of 21,469 men from the US Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which began in 1986, provided more information on the association between diet and ED. (This sample of men was still participating in the follow-up study between January 1, 1998 and January 1, 2014.) Participants, who were between the ages of 40-75 at the start of the study, completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) each four years starting in 1986. Then, starting in 2000, their incidence of DM was assessed every four years for twelve years (2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012). The researchers quantified the men’s diet quality using the Mediterranean Diet score and the Alternative Healthy Diet Index 2010 score, with higher scores indicating healthier diets. Here’s what they found:
- Men younger than 60 with the highest Mediterranean Diet scores had the lowest risk of incident DM.
- Higher Mediterranean Diet scores were also associated with lower DM incidence among men older than 60 years.
- Men in the highest quintile of the Alternative Healthy Diet Index in 2010 had a lower incidence of DM, especially those under 60 years of age.
The findings of this study and other similar studies suggest that maintaining healthy dietary patterns throughout a person’s lifetime may help protect against developing DM and/or developing severe DM.
Diets high in saturated fat can be detrimental to erectile function.
A diet high in saturated fat, found in meat and dairy products, can raise a person’s cholesterol levels. Although some amount of cholesterol is necessary for the production of cells and hormones, high cholesterol has been linked to coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and other vascular diseases. Over time, high cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in a person’s blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow properly throughout the body. Because erections rely on good blood flow to the penis, high cholesterol can hinder the process and impair erectile function.
Obesity is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
Poor eating habits can lead to a person becoming overweight or obese, which in turn can contribute to DM. Many studies have shown an association between obesity and other conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary heart disease and erectile dysfunction. High blood pressure and diabetes can affect blood flow to the penis, affecting a man’s ability to get and maintain an erection.
Testosterone levels may also be related to a person’s weight. Normal testosterone levels in men can help facilitate erections, but low testosterone often accompanies ED. One study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and DM in a population of 2,435 Italian men who had sought treatment for DM between January 2001 and September 2007. Of the participants, 41.5% were of normal weight, 42.4 % were overweight, 12.1% were obese and 4% were severely obese. The researchers found that testosterone levels decreased as BMI increased and that obesity was associated with a higher risk of organic ED (ED caused by physical problems rather than psychological problems).
The essence.
While there’s no way to prevent erectile dysfunction by eating a certain food every day, eating a healthy diet, limiting foods high in saturated fat, and maintaining a healthy weight have been shown to support erectile function during menopause. of life.
Resources:
Bauer, SR, Breyer, BN, Stampfer, MJ, Rimm, EB, Giovannucci, EL, & Kenfield, SA (2020). Association of diet with erectile dysfunction among men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. JAMA Open Network, 3(11), e2021701-e2021701.
Corona, G., Mannucci, E., Fisher, AD, Lotti, F., Petrone, L., Balercia, G., Bandini, E., Forti, G., & Maggi, M. (2008). Low androgen levels in men with erectile dysfunction and obesity. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(10), 2454-2463. DOI:
Esposito, K., Giugliano, F., Maiorino, MI, & Giugliano, D. (2010). Dietary factors, Mediterranean diet and erectile dysfunction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(7), 2338-2345. DOI:
WebMD. Medically reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD. (2021, March 4). Diseases associated with high cholesterol.
