There are many benefits to switching to a Mediterranean diet. These include a healthier heart and a sharper brain.
There is another benefit that may be particularly interesting to men.
According to research presented online on Friday at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting, adopting a diet that is based on Mediterranean food can reduce the risk of future erectile dysfunction.
Mediterranean Diet Could Help Men In Bed – Reduces Erectile Dysfunction!
It was found by researchers that blood vessels, even in the penis, were improved throughout the body after this diet was consumed.
Higher levels of testosterone, more flexible arteries, and better erectile performance were found in men following the Mediterranean diet.
Dr. Athanasios Angelis, from the University of Athens in Greece, said that it seems plausible that this improvement in fitness and erectile performance by enhancing the function of the blood vessels and reducing the drop in testosterone levels that occurs during midlife was due to the Mediterranean diet.
Angelis and his fellow researchers, for the study, followed 250 men who had erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure. 56 was their age, on average.
Their responses were recorded when quizzed about their diet and scores were assigned to show how well they stuck to a Mediterranean diet.
Fruits, vegetables, olive oils, and whole grains were emphasized by the diet. In moderate to low amounts, dairy products, eggs, fish and poultry can be consumed. The consumption of red meat must be limited.
The ability to increase blood flow throughout the body and testosterone when needed was seen more prominently in men who followed a Mediterranean diet more closely.
Physically fit individuals did even better.
The research that has been presented at medical meetings is still preliminary. It was continuing to be considered so until it has been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
US experts that were not involved in the study admitted that it made sense that erections would be helped by a diet that is well known to improve heart health.
Dr. Andrew Freeman said that cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction are on the same spectrum. Freeman is a co-founder at the American College of Cardiology’s Nutrition and Lifestyle Work Group. He said that they call erectile dysfunction the canary in the coal mine as it tends to show up prior to someone having a cardiovascular event. He is also a cardiologist at National Jewish Health in Denver.
The health of cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels has also been shown to be improved by a Mediterranean diet.
Dr. Carlos Santos-Gallego, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City said that arteries are able to dilate when they are healthy and increase their diameter which brings more blood to tissue.
He added that it does not surprise him that it improves the function of blood vessels in general and this also improves taking blood to the penis.
He said that the production of nitric oxide in the body is also improved. This biochemical is responsible for aiding blood vessels in relaxation and dilation.
He went on to say that older studies that showed similar benefits have been agreed upon by this current study which shows the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
However, he warned that men who are struggling to maintain an erection right now will not see a benefit immediately if they take up a Mediterranean diet. It will most definitely not work like viagra.
He said that this study just shows that in the future, there is a lower chance of erectile dysfunction in men who consume this diet. He also cautioned against the traditional Mediterranean diet being Americanized if benefits are to be seen.
