Mediterranean Diet: The Best Daily Foods to Eat to Help Erectile Dysfunction
Published 07/16/2015
Updated: 09/20/2022
The foods you eat might affect your ability to get an erection. Research presented at the EuroEcho-Imaging conference showed that the Mediterranean diet could help improve cardiovascular function in people with erectile dysfunction.
Participants in the Greek study who did not follow the diet had more cardiovascular damage than patients who did follow the diet.
Erectile Dysfunction often indicates cardiovascular problems
EuroEcho-Imaging is a scientific congress that meets annually. It represents professionals with interest in all types of cardiovascular imaging. Dr. Athanasios Angelis was the lead researcher on the study.
He said that erectile dysfunction often indicates the presence of cardiovascular problems. People with erection health issues may be at increased risk for stroke and heart attack.
Mediterranean Diet Could Lower Heart Issues
The Mediterranean diet shows a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. That's why the researchers believed it could help patients with erection problems.To investigate this hypothesis, they conducted a study that included 75 men with erectile dysfunction.
All of the study participants worked at the Hippokration Hospital in Greece. The average age for the men was approximately 56 years.
Med-Diet Score
Researchers measured participants' Mediterranean diet with the Med-Diet Score, which ranked the participants as high, intermediate, or low.
During the study, the men consumed various amounts of meat, dairy, fish, olive oil, wine, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
The researchers monitored cardiovascular function by measuring atheromatous and arteriosclerosis levels. Atheromatous is the accumulation of plaque on the inner lining of the blood vessel.
Arteriosclerosis and Diet
This study determined the thickness of the common carotid artery. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the arteries stiffen and lose elasticity.
Researchers measured with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. The researchers used diastolic function and left ventricular mass to monitor heart health.
2017 Study Mediterranean Diet and Erectile Dysfunction
The effects of the MedDiet on erectile function could be attributed to improved lipid and glucose metabolism, increased antioxidant defenses, and increased arginine levels, which could promote nitric oxide activity and hence improve erectile performance.
Nitric oxide (NO) is produced endogenously from arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and alternatively from nitrate by xanthine oxidase (XOX). NO is a significant opposing modulator of vasoconstriction and is involved in the balance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction in the endothelium. Reduced NO in vascular ED is caused by decreased NOS activity or NO inactivation.
Learn MoreLow Med-Diet scores patients experienced decreased cardiovascular function even though they showed increased plaque levels.
They also had higher left ventricular mass and lower diastolic function.
Erectile Dysfunction and Severe Cardiovascular Events
Overall, the researchers found that people who followed an unhealthy diet had more cardiovascular damage than those who closely followed the Mediterranean diet.
This research may explain why erectile dysfunction patients are more likely to experience a severe cardiovascular event.
Plaque formation, hardened arteries, and poor heart function can lead to serious health complications.
Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
The reports suggest that the Mediterranean diet could lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with erectile dysfunction.
However, this issue needs further examination in a more extensive study.
The results suggest that adopting a healthy diet could benefit people with erectile dysfunction. Patients should eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil daily.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes Help Men with ED
Diary, meat, and wine are best in moderation. Avoid refined sugar by choosing all-natural desserts like fruit.
Doctors hope this study will help people decide which foods are healthy or unhealthy. In addition to dietary changes, doctors advise patients to quit smoking and start a regular exercise program.
These simple lifestyle changes could help millions of men with erectile dysfunction.
Clarissa Guerrero
Clarissa Guerrero holds a certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, which is recognized by the board. In 2020, she successfully obtained her board certification in family medicine from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.Read more
