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Topics: Health, Food and Drink, Sex and Relationships, Science, Mental Health
A doctor has claimed every man should be eating a certain five foods to prevent erectile dysfunction from striking.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is said to affect around 30 million men in the US, and can occur due to a variety of different problems.
It happens when you can’t get or keep an erection during sex, with studies and research finding the likes of stress or past trauma and physical problems contributing towards the medical condition.
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There are ways you can decrease your chances of developing ED, however, and according to one doctor, eating these five foods can prevent the condition.
Yep, you don't want to be eating pumpkin seeds just at Halloween after crafting a jack-o'-lantern, and instead add it to your diet.
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Dr Donald Grant, a senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said: "Firstly, one beneficial snack for erectile dysfunction is pumpkin seeds. These seeds are rich in zinc, an essential nutrient for numerous reasons including testosterone production while improving sperm quality and sleep.
"Additionally, pumpkin seeds are also a great source of magnesium, a mineral which assists with cardiovascular health - improving blood flow which can help men achieve and maintain an erection."
Dr Grant also recommends men eating walnuts from time to time to help prevent ED.
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The GP said: "Another food that can aid with erectile dysfunction is walnuts. This is due to the nuts’ L-arginine contents, a semi-essential amino acid that plays a big role in improving blood flow. The nutritional value of walnuts can help improve how our blood vessels contract and dilate, supporting the function of sexual reproductive organs and helping with erections.
"With erectile dysfunction linked so heavily to cardiovascular health, opting for foods with heart benefits can reduce the effects of ED, improving the quality of life for men suffering from the common condition."
Fruit is an obvious win for the diet, but did you know it can also minimise the rise of ED developing.
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"This fruit is rich in various antioxidants that can help cardiovascular health and boost testosterone levels. Pomegranates are a rich source of iron, helping stimulate blood flow which plays a big role in men’s ability to perform in the bedroom," Dr Grant went on.
"A study from 2013 even suggests that pomegranate juice can improve ED symptoms due to the way the fruit affects the body’s nitric oxide levels. I strongly recommend pomegranates all year round, due to the numerous health benefits for both heart and sexual health."
Grub such as spinach and kale come to mind with these, and on top of those being rather tasty, the foods are also said to prevent ED.
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Dr Green explained: "Incorporating dark leafy greens into your diet can have a range of benefits for managing or reducing the risk of ED. Foods such as spinach, kale and cabbage are rich in nutrients such as folic acid, nitrates and antioxidants, which can benefit blood flow and blood pressure, aiding erectile dysfunction.
"These foods are also quite easy to include in diets and have also been proven to benefit bone health while helping support the immune system."
Finally, the much-loved fruit is also going to be beneficial according to the doctor, so may sure to pack an apple in the lunchbox for the office lunch, eh?
Dr Grant said: "Pomegranates aren’t the only fruit that can assist with erectile dysfunction, or reduce the risk of developing the condition. Apples have been proven to boost cardiovascular health due to the presence of the flavonoid, quercetin.
"Flavonoids are plant compounds that have a variety of health benefits including reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving cognitive function, they can also improve blood pressure."