Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sign of narrowed arteries throughout the body, including the penis, and can indicate heart disease. A plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of ED, according to research published in the Journal of Urology. A separate study found that men with the highest intakes of anthocyanins, flavones, and flavanones—compounds found in fruits—lowered their risk for ED by 14% compared to those who consumed the least. Vegan advocates and some urologists have suggested that a plant-based diet improves blood flow, boosting men's sexual function. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims, and more research is needed to determine the direct impact of plant-based diets on sexual health.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Vegan diet helps with erectile dysfunction | There is some evidence to suggest that a vegan diet can help with erectile dysfunction. A plant-based diet can help unblock arteries, improving blood flow to the penis. |
Vegan diet boosts erections | There is some evidence to suggest that a vegan diet can boost erections. A small-scale experiment found that men had erections that lasted longer and were firmer after eating a vegetarian meal. |
Vegan diet improves sexual performance | There is no evidence to suggest that a vegan diet improves sexual performance. |
What You'll Learn
A vegan diet can improve blood flow
Vegan and vegetarian diets are typically low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are plentiful in beef, pork, and dairy products. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vascular problems linked to meat-eating have also been linked to erectile dysfunction.
Urologists and other experts have suggested that a plant-based diet improves blood flow, boosting men's sexual function. This is because healthy blood flow is directly related to healthy erections.
A plant-based diet can help unblock arteries, improving blood flow to the heart, brain, and penis. Research published in the Journal of Urology found that a plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction.
A study of 2549 men found that a healthful plant-based diet is associated with a lower chance of having erectile dysfunction. A separate study of 184 Chinese men found that a higher consumption of plant-based diets was related to a reduced presence of erectile dysfunction.
In the Netflix documentary "The Game Changers", Dr Aaron Spitz conducted a test on three male college athletes, measuring the strength and duration of their erections over two nights as they slept. On the first night, the men were given a meat-based burrito, and on the second night, they were given a plant-based burrito. After eating the plant-based meal, all of the men showed an 8% increase in erection hardness and a 300 to 500% increase in the time their erections lasted.
While there is currently a lack of rigorous scientific studies to show that a meat-free diet makes a difference in erections, a plant-based diet can lead to better blood flow and is associated with a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction.
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A vegan diet can reduce the risk of heart disease
A meta-analysis of 25 studies found that men with erectile dysfunction have a 59% higher risk of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis, a 34% higher risk of stroke, and a 33% higher risk of dying from any cause, compared with men without symptoms.
A healthful plant-based diet can help unblock arteries, improving blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as to the penis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that a plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction.
Previous research has found that men with the highest intakes of anthocyanins, flavones, and flavanones—compounds found in fruits such as strawberries, apples, blueberries, and citrus—lowered their risk for erectile dysfunction by 14% when compared to those who consumed the least.
Vegan diets are typically low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are plentiful in beef, pork, and dairy products. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vascular problems linked to meat-eating have also been linked to erectile dysfunction.
In addition to improving heart health, a vegan diet can also provide other health benefits, such as a reduced risk of certain cancers. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who followed a vegan diet had a 35% lower prostate cancer risk than those following a non-vegetarian diet.
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A vegan diet can improve mood
It is well known that there is a strong link between diet and mental health. A vegan diet can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is due in part to the fact that plant-based foods provide fibre, which aids the digestive tract and in turn, protects against depression. Indeed, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that the more fibre people ate, the less likely they were to be depressed.
In addition, a plant-based diet can help to unblock arteries, improving blood flow to the heart and brain. This can lead to better overall health and a reduced risk of heart disease. A healthy blood flow is also directly related to healthy erections, and high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vascular problems linked to meat-eating have also been linked to erectile dysfunction.
Veganism may also help psychologically, which can carry over into improved sexual performance. Obesity is also known to contribute to erectile dysfunction, and it is likely that there are fewer obese vegans.
Therefore, a vegan diet can be beneficial for both physical and mental health, which can have a positive impact on mood and sexual performance.
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A vegan diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine states that a plant-based diet can help fight erectile dysfunction and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. A review of 31 articles published in the Journal of Urology showed improved outcomes and overall health in cancer patients who followed a plant-based diet, as well as a lower risk for cancer in those with no cancer diagnosis.
The prostate is a small gland found only in men. It is located between the bladder and the penis and produces fluid that makes up part of semen. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men, after skin cancer. Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, family history, and diet. A diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
A vegan diet can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by lowering the amount of fat and cholesterol in the body. Fat and cholesterol can build up in the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, making it difficult for the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This can increase the risk of cancer.
A vegan diet is typically low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are plentiful in beef, pork, and dairy products. By cutting out these foods, vegans can help to keep their arteries clear and reduce their risk of cancer.
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A vegan diet can improve fertility
Eating more fruits and vegetables could help men maintain fertility. A study found that a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and grains is significantly associated with improved semen quality, total sperm count, higher sperm concentration, and sperm motility.
A plant-based diet can help unblock arteries, improving blood flow to the penis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that men with the highest intakes of anthocyanins, flavones, and flavanones—compounds found in fruits such as strawberries, apples, blueberries, and citrus—lowered their risk for erectile dysfunction by 14% compared to those who consumed the least.
In addition, a study comparing the dietary intake of antioxidants in 10 fertile and 48 infertile men found that infertile men were twice as likely to have a low intake of fruits and vegetables (less than five servings per day) compared to fertile men.
Another study found that men who followed a vegan diet had a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those following a non-vegetarian diet. Prostate cancer can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
A vegan diet can also improve mental health, which can have a significant impact on sexual performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A plant-based diet can help fight erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that a plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction.
A vegan diet has many health benefits, including better heart health and a lower risk of certain cancers. It can also help with weight loss and improve overall health.
A vegan diet can improve fertility in men by increasing sperm count and motility. It can also help protect the prostate and improve hormone levels.
Yes, erectile dysfunction can be caused by various factors such as diabetes, vascular problems, nerve damage, mental health issues, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.