Best and Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction

First off, a little reassurance. Erectile dysfunction is usually nothing to worry about. It typically affects men aged 40 and over, but ED can impact men of any age and profile for a variety of reasons. A study from Kings College London suggests one in five men (4.3 million) across the UK have suffered from ED. It also estimates that 322 million men globally will be affected by it by 2025.

There are numerous causes of erectile dysfunction, including:

• Physical causes: Including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, low testosterone, and smoking.
• Pshychological causes: Including depression, anxiety, stress, mental strain relating to relationship issues, and other mental health conditions.

How can food affect your erection?

We can understand how your diet can help with ED by looking at some of the risk factors associated with the condition.

Take diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and alcohol use as key examples. All are impacted considerably by your diet. Indeed, the type, quantity and regularity of food and drink you consume can affect your blood flow, energy levels and hormones - all of which can play a huge role in determining the quality of your sex life.

While there might not be a superfood solution for ED, there is much to be said for what you're eating most of the time. Like a lot of things, protecting against ED generally comes down to making healthy lifestyle choices - sticking to a good diet being one of them.

The best foods for erectile dysfunction

So, what are the foods that can cure or improve erectile dysfunction? Unsurprisingly, many of the foods that help erections are on the healthier side, but with a few surprising additions thrown in.

Leafy greens

Spinach and other leafy greens like kale are high in nitric oxide which helps arteries constrict and dilate, increasing blood flow. This is good news for not only your penis health but also your entire vascular system too.

Watermelon

Watermelon contains citrulline which, like nitric acid, reduces blood pressure and allows for better blood flow to the penis. Similar citrulline boosters include cucumber and bitter melons.

Coffee

Studies suggest the 170-375mg of caffeine you can get from 2-3 cups of coffee can lead to a lower chance of ED. Caffeine relaxes the smooth muscles of the penis, allowing for easier blood flow.

Oysters

We all know that oysters are supposedly libido-boosting wonders, but why? Oysters will boost your testosterone levels because they're full of zinc, which is also great for your wider body needs. The fact they also contain omega-3 fatty acids makes them one of the best foods for erectile dysfunction.

Nuts

Nuts are rich in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) better known as good cholesterol. This absorbs bad cholesterol and carries it our of your blood vessels and back to the liver. Walnuts and pistachios also have high quantities of arginine, an amino acid used to make blood-vessel-widening nitric acid. A 2019 study proved the worth of pistachios in helping men with ED.

Fish

Salmon and other fatty fish provide a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart and help with nitric acid production in the body. Salmon is also rich in vitamin D. This can prevent endothelial dysfunction in your blood vessels and organs, making it a great food to improve your erection.

Spicy foods

The capsaicin found in hot peppers offers several health and penis-related benefits, including lower blood pressure and higher levels of testosterone.

Grape and pomegranate juice

If you're looking for a cold drink to go with foods that kill erectile dysfunction, grape and pomegranate juice feature nutrients that increase the amount of nitric acid in your body.

The worst foods for erectile dysfunction 

Equally as unsurprising as healthier foods being good for erectile dysfunction is that many of the worst foods are on the greasier side. Here are the main ones to avoid.

Saturated fats

Diets high in saturated fat have close links to erectile dysfunction. Lots of fatty meat can contribute to blockages of your coronary arteries, which are responsible for supplying your body with sufficient blood flow.]

Baked goods

Biscuits, crisps, pastries, cakes. All the good stuff you wish you could snack on every day is unfortunately no good for ED. Baked goods are high in trans fats, which can send your bad cholesterol levels skyrocketing.

Processed and refined carbohydrates

White bread and other processed carbs will curb your testosterone levels while also boosting your oestrogen. They're also a big contributor to putting on weight - another risk factor for ED. Other refined carb sources like non-diet soft drinks will bump up your calories and extensive consumption can lead to metabolic disorders, which can develop into ED.

Soy

While highly nutritious in many cases, soy is linked to hypogonadism. This decreases testosterone production and increases the chance of erectile dysfunction.

Alcohol

Drinking a lot in one session will reduce your chances of getting or maintaining an erection, but it's also linked to reducing testosterone, 

Get the help you need for erectile dysfunction with Rightdose

While there are plenty of foods that help kill erectile dysfunction, there are always more substantial treatments if you need them.

Take a look at the prescription erectile dysfunction treatments we offer and find out how you can combat ED for good today, Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.