Erectile dysfunction is very common amongst men of all ages and is often caused by a physical condition such as insomnia, cardiovascular disease or diabetes. As healthy men tend to have fewer problems with maintaining their erections, improving overall health is one step towards better sexual function as frequent ED can cause relationship conflicts and a loss of self-esteem.
Sexual health can also be improved by making some lifestyle choices. Smoking for instance damages the blood vessels and as steady blood flow to the penis is needed to keep an erection, the habit should be prevented. The disability to maintain an erection is also common amongst men who drink a lot of alcohol.
Studies have shown that men who include regular exercise of only three hours in their weekly routine experience better sexual health as this will not only get the blood circulation going but helps to stay fit and maintaining a healthy weight. When it comes to psychological causes, stress is one of the biggest reasons for erectile dysfunction as worries and anxiety about money or work-related issues might be the reason for unsatisfactory sexual performance.
Taking in a healthy diet that covers all essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are good for the heart and boost blood circulation can go a long way towards relieving symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Owing to the fact that physiological factors like blood flow and hormone levels may affect the condition, eating healthy foods reduces the risk of common vascular problems such as high cholesterol and blood sugar and will optimize the patient’s overall health. Studies show that men eating certain foods like plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains are less likely to experience ED.
We have put together some foods that are good for maintaining vascular health in order to avoid common causes of erectile dysfunction.
Berries and Citrus Fruits
Both types of fruit are associated with a decreased risk of ED as they contain lots of vitamin C which help to improve blood flow. As the condition is often caused by blocked blood vessels vitamin C can help for better sexual performance.
Watermelon
The favourite summer fruit may improve sexual function as it is rich in an antioxidant known as citrulline, which relaxes the blood vessels that supply an erection and work wonders for the heart. Watermelon is also known to improve blood flow.
Leafy Greens
Green vegetables, like celery, broccoli and spinach contain a high concentration of nitrates, which may increase blood circulation and increase blood flow. Today’s erectile dysfunction medication is based on the relaxing effects on the blood vessels that supply the blood flow to the penis.
Dark Chocolate
The sweet treat increases not only the levels of dopamine, the pleasure hormone, in the body, it also contains antioxidant compounds called flavonoids which increase blood flow and help improve cardiovascular health. Flavonoids decrease cholesterol and are all-natural as they help repair cell damage in plants.
Pistachios
The green nuts may be more than just a snack as a recent study found that men who ate pistachios for several weeks experienced a significant improvement in erectile dysfunction issues. Pistachios also improve cholesterol levels and contain the protein arginine, which helps relax the blood vessels.
Oysters
Oysters have long had the reputation of being an aphrodisiac. This may be because of the amount of zinc found in the mollusc, which plays an important role in the production of the hormone testosterone, which, if the male experiences low levels, can lead to erectile dysfunction. The mineral zinc also assists with sperm mobility.
If ED continues to be a problem after making certain lifestyle changes and taking in a healthy diet, the patient should talk with a physician. Even though ED is not a comfortable subject to discuss, many men experience the condition and in most cases the dysfunction is treatable.
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