As advanced as the human race is and probably will ever be, one thing nevertheless seems to stay true: as a species, we’re
But before you get yourself thrown out of the clinic for drug-seeking behavior, perhaps there’s something else you can swallow that’ll get things straightened out again: Your goddamn vegetables.
Eggplant: more than just an emoji
It may not be exciting, but one of the best ways you can look after your erectile function is to
As such, erectile dysfunction, or ED, is “a kind of barometer of heart health,” she explained, and could be an “early warning that you may have heart health problems.” In fact, the two problems are so closely related that for men above 55, experiencing a significant episode of erectile dysfunction imparts a
So, if we’re asking what foods can help with erectile problems, it’s helpful to look at which help your heart and blood pressure. Top of the list? Fresh fruit and vegetables.
“If you are worried about erectile dysfunction (ED), you might want to turn to the produce section,” explains
“Of the main types of flavonoids, three had the greatest benefit: anthocyanins, flavanones, and flavones,” the page reports. “High levels of these natural plant chemicals are found in berries, like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, as well as cherries, grapes, apples, pears, and citrus fruit.”
The impact of these little blue berries wasn’t small, either: the researchers found that men who ate an average of at least three portions of flavonoid-rich foods each week were around ten percent less likely to experience erectile dysfunction. And some more good news: you can also get the pecker-perking ingredients from indulgences like
The weird thing is, we’re not quite sure why. There are some likely theories, though: flavonoids are
Previous research also suggests that flavonoids can inhibit the effects of certain artery-constricting proteins, which will likely have a beneficial effect on erectile function too. “The penis acts as a window to the health of the circulatory system,” wrote Doug Lording, an endocrinologist and andrologist at Cabrini Hospital and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Monash University, in a 2014 article for
“As blood vessels in the penis are smaller, they may be affected earlier than other parts of the body, such as the heart.”
Oil me up
Fresh produce is a great start, but many studies have highlighted the benefits of taking it further. The so-called “
Why is this combination of foods so beneficial? It’s likely a variety of things: omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce erectile dysfunction,
At least
Overall, however, the bedroom success of the Mediterranean diet may simply come down to the same cardio-dick connection as before. “A Mediterranean diet [is] linked with better exercise capacity, healthier arteries and blood flow, higher testosterone levels, and better erectile performance,” said Athanasios Angelis of the University of Athens, Greece,
He had just presented
“The findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet could play a role in maintaining several parameters of vascular health and quality of life,” Angelis said.
Watermelon, no sugar
Remember how tomatoes were recommended because of their lycopene content? That’s a type of antioxidant which, despite its name, does not give you a wolf dick – but
Once again, we’re not quite sure of the mechanism here, but
Or, of course, you could try watermelon. Not only is this a source of lycopene, but it also contains the amino acid citrulline – a substance that research is
“Research into the effects of citrulline and watermelon is relatively new,” notes
Nevertheless, they report, “preliminary research is promising […] most men can safely try watermelon juice or citrulline supplements as an alternative to Viagra.”
After all, what could it hurt? Even if it doesn’t give you a citrulline-induced hard-on, it’s still fresh fruit – and really, that’s the takeaway from all this.
“Ultimately, there’s no harm in trying to live a healthier lifestyle,” Neel Patel, a GP from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, told the BBC.
“Ensuring you’re eating a balanced diet with the recommended amount of fruit, vegetables and whole grains is a brilliant place to start.”
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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