Can Avocados Help Improve Your Sex Life?
Nutritious and delicious, avocados are incredibly popular, having become a staple in many people’s diets.
Best known as being the main ingredient in guacamole, avocados (Persea americana) are a member of the Lauraceae plant family, which also includes the cinnamon tree. Avocados are extremely popular due to their being highly nutritious and having several health benefits.
But can avocados help improve sexual function? Should we add avocados to our shopping carts with other possible foods that could kill ED?
We’ll explore if there are other avocado benefits sexually and how this fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) can help you have a healthy sex life.
Are There Avocado Benefits Sexually?
You might be wondering what exactly are the benefits of avocados sexually. Maybe you’re even wondering if certain parts of the fruit are also beneficial, such as if there are benefits of avocado leaves sexually.
We have to level with you here — while avocados can be a good addition to a diet in moderation, there aren’t many studies on direct avocado benefits sexually.
In fact, simply eating one food won’t cure sexual dysfunction or suddenly lead to an improved sexual life.
Rather a diet full of leafy greens, whole grains, lean protein and even the inclusion of healthy fats can provide benefits in the bedroom. Avocados are one source of healthy fats that can be a beneficial part of your diet — with a better sex life as a possible side effect.
Keep reading to learn about the nutritional profile and benefits of avocados sexually.
How Avocados Might Help Your Sex Life
Avocados are packed with a high number of important nutrients essential to your health and functioning.
A whole medium avocado contains about:
240 calories
13 grams of carbohydrates
22 grams of fat (15 grams monounsaturated, 4 grams polyunsaturated, 3 grams saturated)
10 grams of fiber
11 milligrams of sodium
In addition to being low in sodium, avocados also contain no cholesterol.
Avocados are also an excellent source of nutrients that are lacking in many people’s diets, including magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and folate.
Can Improve Heart Health
Eating nutrient-dense foods like avocados regularly could provide healthy heart benefits and reduce the risk of heart disease — which happens to be a factor for erectile dysfunction (ED).
The heart-healthy fats in avocados have been found to lower levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, a type of cholesterol associated with atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque along artery walls, according to a small study of 45 men and women.
Two larger studies of several men and women also found that consuming at least two avocados a week reduced the risk of heart disease due to the fatty acids in avocados, a type of fat necessary for a healthy heart.
Rich Source of Antioxidants
In addition to vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fiber, avocados are packed with bioactive compounds including carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E and phenolic compounds which have been shown to have high levels of antioxidant properties.
The carotenoids found in avocados have been shown to have powerful antioxidant effects, protecting against oxidative damage, which is associated with the progression of many chronic diseases.
Additionally, a small study of 100 men found that antioxidants can increase sex hormone levels. However, more research is needed to know the effects of antioxidants on hormone production.
Avocados are also a source of vitamin E, another antioxidant that may also reduce sperm DNA damage, according to a review of evidence.
May Reduce Erectile Dysfunction
Avocados are also a good source of potassium, an essential mineral that many people have deficiencies in.
Half of a medium avocado even has more potassium than a medium banana. But we should note that there may be benefits of banana sexually as well!
Not only is potassium necessary for cellular function and to reduce the risk of stroke and high blood pressure but it may also play an important role in erectile function. One study on male rats found that potassium channels play a role in helping the smooth muscles of the penis relax to create an erection.
However, more research on humans is needed to know whether potassium plays a role in erectile dysfunction. Similarly, another nutrient that claims to improve your sex life is lecithin, a compound found in soy products. However, the benefits of lecithin sexually need to be studied more.
Could Help Promote Healthy Body Weight
Being overweight can also play a role in erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction. Regularly consuming avocados could help manage body weight.
Although high in calories, avocados are packed with nutrients and help promote satiety, thanks to their high fiber and healthy fat content.
Research shows that following a diet rich in fibrous foods, like fruits and vegetables, may help support weight loss. A study that included 345 people also found that fiber intake was the most influential predictor of body weight.
The Many Benefits of Avocados
Avocados pack plenty of health benefits thanks to a nutrient-dense profile full of healthy fats, a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants and plenty of fiber. While this fruit alone won’t magically cure all sexual issues, you could reap avocado benefits sexually as part of a balanced diet.
Avocados can help you have a healthy heart and reduce the risk of heart disease, a factor in erectile dysfunction.
They also provide plenty of antioxidants that help prevent oxidative damage that can lead to chronic disease.
They can also help manage body weight when eaten with other high-fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
There are certainly plenty of avocado benefits and they’re a great and versatile addition to any diet.
If you’re still looking for ways to improve your sexual health through diet, you can check out the Best and Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction, Which Foods Cause Premature Ejaculation and Natural Aphrodisiac Foods for more information.
Or if you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction or other sexual dysfunction, you can talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms and a treatment plan. They may recommend common medications like sildenafil or tadalafil but will find the right option for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.