Men with a poor diet rich in ‘bad fats’ from butter, red meat and pastries are MORE likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than those who eat plenty of fruit, veg, nuts and fish
- US researchers linked diets full of red and processed meat with erectile issues
- A healthy diet full of fruit and veg could help maintain erectile function in men
- Erectile dysfunction known to be a possible early sign of cardiovascular disease
Men with a poor diet rich in ‘bad fats’ are more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than people who eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish, a new study says.
US researchers found a link between erectile dysfunction and consumption of bad fats found in red and processed meats and butter in middle-aged to elderly men.
The study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect, meaning it’s possible erectile dysfunction could cause consumption of foods full of bad fats, almost as a source of comfort for being unable to perform in the bedroom.
Both erectile dysfunction and a poor diet are already known to be potential early signs of cardiovascular disease, which can also be affected by diet.
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Erectile dysfunction, which could be solved with a greater presence of good fats in the diet, could be an early sign of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels and can include events such as strokes and coronary heart disease.
Researchers say acknowledging erectile dysfunction is also a symptom of poor eating could encourage men to adopt healthier diets.
The experts, from University of California San Francisco, used data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up study, a Harvard-backed study that kicked off in 1986.
Researchers took a sample that included information about the diet and health of 21,469 male health professionals, aged between 40 and 75.
The study, which has been published in JAMA Network Open, suggests healthy diet, free from burgers, pastries and other butter-rich products, could both help cut cardiovascular disease and maintain erectile function.
Fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish in the diet may solve problems ‘getting in up’ in the bedroom, researchers suggest
Last year, research revealed that men who suffer from erectile dysfunction are at a 59 per cent greater risk of heart disease, stroke or a premature death.
Impotence also raised the men’s risk of a stroke by 34 per cent and premature death by 33 per cent, the study by Chinese scientists found.
Failure to become erect may be the first sign of poor blood flow in the body, the scientists warned.
Erectile dysfunction affects more than 100 million men globally to some extent, which is set to rise to 300 million by 2025.
In June this year, UK Digital health service Superdrug Online Doctor reported a 13 per cent increase in demand for erectile dysfunction services.
Researchers blamed increased stress and alcohol consumption due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Erectile dysfunction can be triggered by transient factors such as tiredness, stress, anxiety or alcohol use.
However, the condition can also be a sign of underlying medical conditions including high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or even hormonal issues.