Erectile dysfunction can be a canary in the coal mine for your overall health. Many of the most common medical conditions that affect adult men in the U.S. are considered risk factors for erectile dysfunction. These include diabetes, heart conditions, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and obesity.
All of these affect the cardiovascular system: the veins, arteries, and organs that contribute to proper blood flow in the body. To get an erection, the penis needs sufficient blood, and ED can be a warning sign that there are other things amiss. Men with any of the underlying conditions above are at greater risk of developing ED,
For years we've known that certain foods can help combat these cardiovascular conditions. Now, we know that they can help with ED risk too.
Flavonoids for ED
Doctors agree – there's a clear link between your diet, cardiovascular function, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction.
People who adhere to a Mediterranean diet – lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes – show an improvement in erectile and endothelial function, plus less of certain inflammatory signals.
So researchers began looking at exactly what in the Mediterranean diet might account for this effect. Flavonoids stand out. Flavonoids are a group of phytonutrients that come from fruits, vegetables, herbs, teas, and even wine. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate endothelial nitric oxide (NO is a key part of the erection process).
What they found points to the power of certain foods to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction in men.
Foods That Are Good For ED
Some of the best foods for ED, it turns out, are those that are high in flavonoids like flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonoid polymers, flavonols, and flavones. Don't worry about the details; the important thing is to know which are the best foods for ED.
Consuming flavonoids on a regular basis is a great way to reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction. One particularly large research study demonstrated that more dietary flavonoids lead to a lower risk of ED for men, with a reduction of as much as 9-11%! The study looked a whopping 25,000 men over 10 years, and it's one of the most conclusive research programs into diet and ED done to date.
The staggering thing is that some researchers believe this improvement is equivalent to approximately 2–5 hours of brisk walking per week! Exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy and combat ED, which make this finding particularly astounding. Flavonoid intake may work wonders in preventing ED.
What Are The Most Popular Fruits or Vegetables That Have Flavonoids For ED
So which foods are good for ED?
In that huge 25,000-man study, they focused on six particular foods with flavonoids for erectile dysfunction:
- strawberries
- blueberries
- red wine
- apples
- pears
- citrus products
Based on the data, these are some of the best fruits and vegetables for preventing ED. Guys who got a few servings each day saw the most benefit. But when it comes to flavonoids for ED, they're not the only options out there.
Pomegranates, black berries, red grapes, and most tree fruits are all recognized as having high flavonoid content. Dark chocolate and dark leafy greens are known for their capacity as well.
Notice a similar vein? These fruits and veggies are also commonly recommended for their antioxidant capabilities, for which flavonoids are known too. In fact, many nutritionists and researchers believe these foods are good for much more than ED risk, possibly reducing cancer risk and heart disease.
How much do you need? We don't know precisely how much you need each day, but getting any flavonoid-rich food each day is better than not getting any at all. Ideally, try to get one in with each meal. For example, blueberries on your oatmeal, an orange mid-day, and some spinach with dinner is a powerful combination.
Whether you're working to prevent ED before it happens or treat the ED you're already dealing with, flavonoids may help. So can Rex MD. Our telehealth for ED platform helps guys get the medications they need with the safety and comfort of a doctor's prescription. All from the comfort of home.
