THE little blue pill is a staple in the bedrooms of millions of Brits who suffer from erectile dysfunction.
But as it turns out, some cheap food and drink can mimic the effects of Viagra’s erection-boosting properties.
Some foods may have similar powers to the small but mighty sex drugGetty – Contributor
Dr Michael Mosley was recently seen touting the Viagra-like benefits of the beetroot on the live stream talk show 5×15 stories.
The TV medic said the root veg helps your blood vessels dilate, improving flow to your privates and bringing your blood pressure down – much like how Viagra works.
“For those who are interested in the biochemistry — the sciencey bit — essentially beetroot is rich in nitrates,” Dr Mosley said.
“Nitrates are converted by bacteria in your mouth into nitric oxide. That causes vasodilation – expansion of your blood vessels.
“That’s what brings your blood pressure down and what it also does, particularly with older people, it gives them a boost so they are able to become more active.”
But beets aren’t the only food that has similar powers to the small but mighty sex drug.
Other research has discovered strawberries and even coffee might have similar effects.
1. Strawberries
Men may be able to ward off ED if they eat lots of strawberries and blueberries.
These foods are rich in certain flavonoids, which a study has suggested may help prevent the condition.
The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2016, followed over 25,000 men and their diets for over two decades.
The scientists found those who ate at least three portions a week were 14 per cent less likely to have problems in the bedroom.
Lead author Dr Aedin Cassidy, from the University of East Anglia in the UK, said: “Most of the work we do relates to diet and heart disease.
“What’s interesting is the same process causes erectile dysfunction.”
This kind of study offers men a chance to make a lifestyle change that doesn’t involve taking pills, said Dr Thomas Jaffe from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, previously told Today.com.
2. Coffee
Your daily cup of coffee keeps you up in more ways than one.
Guys who guzzled coffee reported having stronger penises in the bedroom, a US study found.
Scientists from the University of Texas found that men over the age of 20 who drank the caffeine equivalent of two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to report ED issues than men who steered clear of the stimulant.
The connection was strongest in overweight guys, study author Dr David Lopez explained in the paper, published in Plos One in 2015.
3. Dark chocolate
Chocolate has become pretty synonymous with sex and romance.
So perhaps it’s unsurprising that the sweet treat is linked to increased sexual desire.
“This is likely because of its high caffeine quantity,” leading qualified nutritionist Kristen Stavridis (@nutrionistkristen) previously told the Sun.
At high levels, caffeine widens the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the genitalia, which makes orgasm easier and erections more likely.
In fact, a 2005 study found a correlation between caffeine and increased sex activity among rodents.
However, we can’t be entirely sure caffeine has the same effect on the sex organs of humans.
Kirsten added: “Dark chocolate also contains high amounts of the amino acid L-arginine that has been shown to boost blood flow and potentially increase satisfaction and desire.”
Food and drinks to avoid…
Eating a handful of the wrong snack isn’t going to make your penis fall off or stop working.
But having a pattern of unhealthy eating can contribute to other health issues which may lead to ED.
Here are the treats you should avoid consuming too much of:
Booze
Getting tipsy with your date may sound fun.
But drinking too much can impact your performance in the bedroom – and can even impact your sex life long-term.
Dr Neel Patel, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor said: “Excessive consumption can restrict blood flow to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction.”
Both men and women can experience reduced sensitivity after drinking alcohol, Drinkaware says.
Alcohol Change UK also warns that longer-term, heavy drinking in men “may lead to shrinking of the testes, reduction in the size of the penis, loss of pubic and body hair and, as a complication of cirrhosis [liver disease], enlargement of the breasts”.
One review of research found that women who drank alcohol had a 74 per cent increased likelihood of sexual dysfunction, such as desire and arousal.
Fatty foods
Fatty foods, like sausages and cheese, can cause sexual difficulties.
“High cholesterol and obesity are two contributing factors to developing atherosclerosis, where arteries become hard and narrow due to a buildup of plaque,” Dr Neel previously told the Sun
“This can result in reduced blood flow to the penis and make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.”
The NHS recommends reducing saturated fat and including more unsaturated fat in the diet.
This means swapping fatty foods for olive oil, avocados and nuts.
Other ways to help with erectile dysfunction
HEALTHY lifestyle changes can sometimes help with erectile dysfunction.
According to the NHS, people with ED should:
Lose weight if you’re overweight
Stop smoking
Eat a healthy diet
Exercise daily
Try to reduce stress and anxiety
Try to avoid:
Do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
Do not cycle for a while, if you cycle for more than three hours a week
When to see a GP
Book an appointment to see your doctor if erection problems keep happening. It could be a sign of a separate health condition that can be treated.
