01 Dec
Erectile dysfunction in younger men is rising, and about 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime — so your sexual health and prostate health may be top of mind.
One unexpected way you can improve your sexual health is surprisingly through diet.
The foods you eat provide the building blocks you need to power your body, including the penis and other sexual organs.
However, instead of eating as if your penis needs special attention, you can fill your day with nutritious whole foods that help your blood deliver the nutrients your penis, prostate, and other sexual organs need to function optimally.
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Spinach
Spinach is rich in folate, a known blood flow booster. Folic acid plays a critical role in male sexual function. Low blood folic acid levels have been linked to erectile dysfunction.
Cooked spinach contains 77% of the Daily Value for folate per cup (185 grams), making it one of the most folate-rich foods around. Additionally, spinach contains a fair amount of magnesium, which also helps stimulate blood flow and may boost testosterone levels
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Coffee
Your morning cup of java may help below the belt, as well.
One study in over 3,000 men noted that those who self-reported the highest daily caffeine intake of 1–3 cups of coffee were less likely to report erectile dysfunction than those with the lowest caffeine intake.
It’s important to note, however, that these findings were based on self-reporting from the participants, so they may not be completely reliable.
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Apples
Apples have some great all-around health benefits, but one of their lesser known advantages pertains to prostate health.
Apple peels, in particular, contain the active compound ursolic acid.
Note, however, that much more research is needed to fully understand how this effect would translate to apple peels being eaten.
Regardless, some other studies also suggest that men who consume more fruits and vegetables have better odds of beating prostate cancer.
If you have prostate cancer, you should follow your trusted health professional’s treatment plan.
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Avocados
Oddly enough, because of their shape and the fact that they grow in pairs on avocado trees.
Avocados are rich in vitamin E, which may improve sperm quality in men with infertility. One medium avocado provides 21% of the Daily Value for vitamin E.
A medium (150-gram) avocado also provides 9% of the Daily Value for zinc, an essential mineral with roles in sperm quality, testosterone production, and fertility.
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Chili peppers
Can you handle the heat? One small study found that men who preferred spicier food had higher testosterone levels in their saliva than those that preferred milder flavours.
While this doesn’t mean spicy food increases testosterone levels, the chemical capsaicin found in hot peppers may have some bedroom advantages.
Dietary capsaicin intake may stimulate your brain’s pleasure centers, which could potentially improve your mood and provide an aphrodisiac effect. However, most of the research regarding capsaicin and mood has been done in animal studies — so it should be taken with a grain of salt
The bottom line
These eight foods all have some research pointing to their positive effects on male fertility, sexual health, or prostate health, but most of the research is limited.
What’s important to note, though, is that all of these are whole, minimally processed foods.
Dietary patterns that are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods — along with adequate protein and healthy fats — have been shown to help reduce erectile dysfunction risk, improve prostate health, and optimize fertility.
Looking for health with your sexual health? Call or whatsapp us today for help.
