The fruit juice that can slash erectile dysfunction risk by 80% – and 2 other drug-free remedies that work
DIET can play an important role when it comes to the bedroom.
A poor diet with high saturated fats, sugar, and processed foods can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), while a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein has been shown to maintain healthy blood vessels and improve ED.
Now, a new study has gone into the specifics of what to consume.
Drinking red grape juice could be a drug-free alternative to Viagra – with the added benefit of boosting libido.
The beverage, which can be purchased for as little as £2.25 from UK supermarkets, has been found to slash the risk of erectile dysfunction by 80 per cent.
The researchers behind the findings are recommending all men over 40 to drink a glass of red grape juice at least five times a week to experience the benefits.
The study, published in the journal The Ageing Male, compared the consumption of popular beverages and their effect on flagging libido.
Regular consumption of apple, orange, pineapple or tomato juice did not seem to help.
Fizzy drinks were also shown to have no positive impact.
The results showed that out of nine different drinks, only grape juice seemed to have a very significant effect.
But the effects were strongest with red grapes rather than white grapes.
Scientists at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in Tianjin, China, looked at the drinking habits of 1,500 middle-aged men as part of the study and compared the data with how many reported problems with arousal.
The researchers suggested red grapes may be more powerful at boosting libido and helping ED because they contain higher levels of plant chemicals, called phenols.
Phenols are known for keeping arteries healthy, and could ward off any narrowing that might restrict blood flow to the penis.
In a report on their findings they said: “Grape juice has many phenolic compounds with health benefits and red grape juice has more of these than white.
“Based on these results, we suggest men – especially those over 40 – may benefit from consuming grape juice more than five times a week to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.”
In the UK, ED affects up to one in five men, or about 4.3 million men.
But the true number may be higher because some people don’t report ED to healthcare professionals.
Erectile dysfunction is often treated with medicines known as PDE-5 inhibitors, which include Viagra.
But studies have demonstrated how other drug-free, like red grape juice, could combat ED.
Get walking
According to a Harvard study, just 30 minutes of walking a day was linked with a 41 per cent drop in risk for ED.
A number of other studies have also suggested moderate exercise can help restore sexual performance in obese middle-aged men with the condition.
Eat right
In the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study, it was found eating a diet rich in natural foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish — with less red and processed meat and refined grains — was found to decrease the likelihood of ED.
The NHS also suggests eating a healthy diet to help ED and to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week.
What are the physical causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are four main types of physical condition that can cause impotence in men:
- Vasculogenic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes affect the flow of blood to your penis and cause erectile dysfunction.
- Neurogenic conditions, which affect the nerves and include disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, are also responsible.
- A hormonal disorder, affecting your hormones, is another example of a physical problem that can lead to impotence.
- An anatomical condition is something that affects the tissue or structure of the penis and is the fourth physical cause. Old age is also commonly associated with impotence.