Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that affects thousands of men in the United States. It is characterized by the difficulty or inability to develop an erection. Although erectile dysfunction often occurs in much older men, statistics and studies show that a great number of younger men are also affected. To be more specific, there are 30 million men in the United States who have ED at various levels.
At present, the most effective forms of treatment for erectile dysfunction are medications like sildenafil. This is the active ingredient found in Viagra.
Aside from medications, changing your habits, diet, and lifestyle can also improve your condition, allowing you to get and keep an erection. They can even help improve your sexual performance.
In this article, we listed the different types of food that can affect ED in a positive way. The foods that can improve your condition are also foods that are good for your heart. They promote a healthy blood flow and boost testosterone production and other sex-related hormones.
The Role of Food in ED Treatment
Before we delve any further into the topic, let’s put everything in context first.
Erectile dysfunction has different levels of severity. For example, some men have difficulty getting an erection in some occasions but have none at other times.
Some men, on the other hand, have persistent ED which prevents them from getting an erection at all.
If you fall under the category of mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, making a few diets and lifestyle changes can improve your condition, allowing you to get an erection easier.
If you change your diet and make improvements to your health, you will notice positive changes in your body, especially in your sexual performance.
Take note, however, that if you have severe or persistent erectile dysfunction, you might need more than dietary and lifestyle changes.
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Understanding How Erection Works
Getting an erection looks simple and straightforward. You get sexually aroused and you get an erection but it’s more than that.
Erection is made up of a complicated process where your brain, penis, and vascular system work together so you can achieve an erection.
Erection starts when you are stimulated by either physical contact or visual sexual stimuli like pornographic content. As you get stimulated, your brain and nerves release impulses that cause the blood to flow into the corpora cavernosa, the soft erectile tissue of your penis.
As blood continues to flow, the pressure builds, causing the penis to become firm and increase in size. Inside the penis is a fibrous membrane called tunica albuginea that wraps around the erectile tissue of your penis. It contracts and traps the blood inside the penis so it stays hard during sex.
If you noticed, blood flow plays a vital role in penile erection. Thus, the prevention of erectile dysfunction lies significantly in your cardiovascular health. It also means avoiding health issues that might put you at greater risk of erectile dysfunction.
These health issues include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Too much alcohol intake
- Taking certain types of medication
- Some underlying medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
Foods that Improve Erectile Health
Below are foods that can improve your erectile health and prevent erectile dysfunction:
Vegetables Rich in Nitrate
Nitrate-rich vegetables include lettuce and spinach. These vegetables contain natural chemical compounds that relax the blood vessels’ muscular walls, allowing the blood to flow easily.
More so, a study published in Anesthesiology mentioned that nitrates have a vital role in a process called the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. In this process, the nitrates we consume from certain types of food are recycled in blood and tissue to produce nitric oxide, a molecule that improves blood flow and vascular health. By improving the blood flow, you get a better erection as well.
Other foods that are rich in nitrates include parsley, beet leaves, and other green, leafy vegetables.
Oysters and Shellfish
Oysters, shellfish, and other seafood are rich in zinc, which is essential to testosterone production. Testosterone, on the other hand, is an important hormone in male sexual health and functioning.
Men who have low levels of testosterone in their bodies show less interest in sex. More so, they might be experiencing erectile dysfunction at various levels.
When it comes to testosterone production, studies show that adding zinc as a supplement increases testosterone levels. And as mentioned, oysters have the highest level of zinc than any food. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, a single serving of oyster contains 673 percent of recommended daily intake for zinc.
Other foods that are rich in zinc include lobster, crab, chickpeas, cereals, pumpkin seeds beef, and pork. You can also purchase zinc supplements.
Lycopene-Rich Fruits
These include tomatoes, papaya, watermelon, and guavas. Lycopene is an important nutrient that contains anti-oxidant properties. This nutrient has several health benefits that include the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It is also known to improve vascular functions.
When it comes to the effects of lycopene to erectile health and sexual performance, little research has been done about it. However, research on rats showed that lycopene might improve erectile health.
Foods that Contain L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that creates nitric oxide, an important component that contributes to penile erection and sexual performance. According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, L-arginine is present in most protein-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, and dairy.
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Cocoa and Dark Chocolate
Cocoa and dark chocolate contain high levels of flavonoids, a naturally-occurring chemical with antioxidants. Research shows that flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
Aside from cocoa and dark chocolate, flavonoids can also be found in nuts, tea leaves, whole grains, and other common foods.
Coffee
If you’re a coffee-lover, it’s good news for you because a study published in PLOS One showed that coffee drinking has an effect on men suffering from erectile dysfunction. According to the study, men who drink more than two cups of coffee every day were less likely to have erectile dysfunction than those who don’t.
Final Thoughts
If you have erectile dysfunction, eating certain foods can improve your cardiovascular health, improve blood flow, and makes erection easier. These foods will not only improve your sexual health but your general well-being as well.
