Dissecting Diet, Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility
The following is informational only and does not constitute medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
There is a great deal of misinformation out there regarding infertility and erectile dysfunction. For example, erectile dysfunction is not just a problem of middle-aged men and it is most certainly not a normal part of getting older.
Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding erectile issues prevents many men from asking for help or, at the very least, taking steps to learn more about their condition.
It’s up to every good man to learn more about our bodies and why they do the things they do, and that’s part of why these articles are so important to us.
Though you probably already understand the importance of a balanced diet for overall health and wellness, did you know that your food choices could impact your sexual health?
Keep reading to learn more about how diet affects your sexual health, particularly for infertility and ED.
How Does Diet Affect Sexual Health?
You’ve heard the saying: You are what you eat. While you may not literally turn into a Whopper after eating too much fast food, the dietary choices you make have a direct impact on many aspects of your health—including your sexual health.
But how exactly is diet linked to sexual health?
First and foremost, your diet plays an important role in determining your bodyweight and body composition which, in turn, impacts numerous aspects of your sexual health.
For example, being overweight or obese could significantly increase your risk for erectile dysfunction—by as much as two and a half times. In fact, the results of a 2008 study revealed that, out of more than 2,400 male participants suffering from sexual dysfunction, nearly 60% were overweight or obese.
In this study, obesity was specifically linked to low testosterone levels, which had a direct impact on sexual function. Low testosterone levels can also affect your sex drive and sperm production, which means that it can affect more than just your interest in sex—it can also affect your fertility.
Not only does your diet affect your physical health, but it plays a role in your mental health as well. Being overweight or obese can significantly impact your confidence and self-image which can trigger something called psychological impotence, which is erectile dysfunction linked to psychological causes.
According to the University of Cambridge, as many as 20% of men experience psychological impotence at some point in their lives.
Obesity is not the only way that your diet can impact your sexual health and function. Studies have shown that specific foods are linked to low libido and other issues of sexual function in men. Keep reading to learn more.
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What Foods Are Linked to Erectile Dysfunction?
No one food is likely to cause erectile dysfunction, but a pattern of unhealthy eating can contribute to various metabolic and circulatory issues which may lead to erectile dysfunction.
For example, consuming saturated animal fats, trans fats, and cholesterol in excess can negatively impact your heart by contributing to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty deposits accumulate along artery walls, causing the arteries to narrow and increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke. If your arteries are clogged, reduced circulation could not only affect your heart but also your ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Another food that has been linked to erectile dysfunction is sugar.
Sugar affects your libido and sexual function in several significant ways. For one thing, sugary foods are typically high in calories and low in nutrients, making them an empty source of energy.
According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), over-consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and other sugary foods is linked to weight gain and an increase in BMI. As we’ve already discussed, obesity is directly linked to erectile issues, which makes sugar an indirect contributing factor for these same problems.
Not only does excess sugar consumption contribute to obesity, but it also leads to a cycle of blood sugar spikes and crashes which can affect your ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
When you eat sugary foods, your blood sugar spikes as the glucose hits your bloodstream almost immediately. Your pancreas then kicks into high gear producing insulin to bring your blood sugar back down to normal.
The more sugar you eat, the more frequently this cycle happens and the more it will affect your sexual health. In fact, type 2 diabetes (caused, in part, by high blood sugar levels) is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
In addition to affecting your ability to achieve and maintain an erection, sugar consumption can mess with your leptin levels, which could impact your sex drive. When you consume food, your body produces another hormone besides insulin—leptin.
Leptin is known as the hunger hormone because it sends a signal to your brain when you are full to let you know it’s time to stop eating. The messy cycle of sugar spikes and crashes can lead to leptin resistance, or a reduced response to leptin, which can wreak havoc on your libido.
Other foods that can impact your sexual function are those which have been shown to reduce testosterone levels. Low testosterone can not only affect your interest in sex, but it may also impact your ability to achieve or maintain an erection as well as your fertility. Some foods that may have a negative effect on your testosterone levels include the following:
Processed foods
Refined sugars
Diet drinks
Fried foods
Artificial sweeteners
Low-fat foods
Dairy products
Soy products
Flaxseed
Legumes
Beans
Spearmint
In addition to these foods, overconsumption of alcohol may also have a negative impact on your sexual health and function. Studies show that men who are dependent on alcohol are at drastically greater risk for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low libido. Excessive alcohol consumption can also inhibit blood flow to the penis, reducing sensation and your ability to achieve and maintain erection.
What Are the Other Risks of Poor Diet?
While your erectile function is probably the biggest problem on your mind, you should be aware that the same factors which contribute to ED can impact other aspects of sexual and physical health.
For example, not only can a diet high in fatty foods lead to erectile dysfunction, but it can actually impact your fertility. According to the results of a preliminary study, men who consume a diet high in saturated fat have fewer sperm and a lower concentration of sperm. In this study, men who ate fast food on a regular basis had 43% less sperm and a 38% decrease in sperm concentration. Another study also showed a link between obesity and sperm count as well as infertility.
Sugar is another food that can destroy fertility. It can not only cause dangerous spikes and crashes, but it can disrupt hormone production and contribute to insulin resistance. As part of an unhealthy diet in general, sugar can also contribute to nutritional deficiencies which may affect fertility and other aspects of male sexual health.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, processed meats may also have an impact on male fertility. The results of a study published in a 2015 issue of Fertility & Sterility showed a correlation between frequent consumption of processed meat and lower fertilisation in men. Men who ate the least amount of processed meats had nearly a 30% better chance of achieving pregnancy compared to the men who ate at least four servings of processed meat per week.
Now that it is obvious to you how your diet impacts your sexual health and function, you may be wondering what changes to make to reverse these issues. In addition to reducing your consumption of testosterone-lowering foods from the section above, you should strive for a balanced diet of lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
A nutritionally-rich diet is the key to total health and wellness which includes sexual health and erectile function.
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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.