Although most of us have heard the phrase “you are what you eat”, many do not realise how true it is until our physical health is affected by our diet.
This is the case for those who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), as their condition could be exacerbated by what they are eating or drinking, making the problem worse without even realising it.
Here are some foods and drinks that men with ED should avoid if they want their condition to improve:
Alcohol
Alcohol has a big impact on sexual performance, as it reduces blood flow to the penis. This makes it much harder to achieve an erection or maintain one.
It also reduces their sensitivity, so they do not become as sexually aroused as they would without having had a few drinks.
Not only does it impact performance in the short-term, it also has a long-term impact. Therefore, someone who is a regular heavy drinker might find their sex life suffers.
This is because it can damage their liver and cause imbalances in their hormones. By not producing enough testosterone, they will experience a decline in their sex drive, as well as their ability to get an erection.
Drinking over a long period of time can result in the testes and penis to shrink, as well as reduce sperm production, which will affect fertility.
Sugar
Sugar is a food group men should avoid if they want to reduce symptoms of ED. This is because there is a link between a higher body mass index (BMI) and ED, and those who eat lots of sugar are more likely to have a greater BMI.
Reducing sugar intake could lower a person’s weight and, therefore, reduce their risk of ED.
Men with type 2 diabetes due to a poor diet are more likely to have erectile problems, with half of all guys who have diabetes suffering from ED to some degree. This is due to nerve impulses being impacted, and subsequently affecting the sending of signals and blood flow to the penis.
Fatty meals
Similarly, fatty meals should be avoided if ED is becoming a problem, as obesity is associated with poor sexual function.
At the same time, men with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels – both of which can be caused by a diet high in saturated fat – have a higher risk of ED. This is because they are likely to develop atherosclerosis, which is when there is a build-up of plaque around artery walls, forcing them to narrow.
As a result, the amount of oxygen supply and blood travelling to the organs decreases, including the blood flow to the penis.
Too much salt
Eating an excessive amount of salt can cause high blood pressure, as the sodium content boots the volume of blood in the body by retaining water.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, also results in poor elasticity within arteries, which means they cannot cope with the rush of blood during an erection. If the blood is unable to flow as quickly as needed, an erection might not be achieved.
How common is ED in the UK?
Most men are guilty of having a diet that contains fatty meals, sugar, salt and alcohol, which may explain why 48 per cent of guys in the UK, which amounts to 16.5 million men, have reported experiencing some degree of ED.
The survey also reported that 12 per cent always experience erectile problems, 18 per cent claim to sometimes be affected, and another 18 per cent occasionally have issues getting or maintaining an erection.
Those who are aged between 25 and 34 most commonly say they are affected by ED, while the condition used to be more prevalent in older age groups due to coexisting illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Therefore, making small changes to your diet could have a big impact on your risk of developing ED.
What foods should men eat to avoid ED?
Foods that guys should eat if they want to avoid developing ED include berries, which contain antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Apples, pears and citrus fruits are also rich in flavonoids, helping to ward off ED.
Oily fish like salmon contain a high level of omega-3 can also reduce incidences of sexual dysfunction. However, it is important to get wild salmon and not farmed ones, as the latter tend to contain fewer nutrients.
Protein sources such as red meats, poultry, nuts, fish and dairy also comprise l-arginine, which the body needs to make nitric oxide. This helps to relax blood vessels, which makes it easier for blood to flow to the penis.
Greens, such as spinach, also boost nitric oxide levels in the body, while wholegrains, olive oil, nuts and legumes are thought to reduce the risk or frequency of ED, so it is worth including these in a diet.
If this doesn’t help, men can buy erectile dysfunction drugs in the UK, which can reduce their symptoms and get their sex life back on track.
Recent Comments