Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common conditions affecting men in the U.S., with nearly 30 million experiencing some form of impotence. Beyond the effect that it may have on your romantic life, erectile dysfunction, also known as ED, may be an early indicator of heart disease. Doctors have been erring on the side of caution for years, encouraging patients to eat healthier foods and work on preventing the damage of heart disease, and current research is backing them up in a big way. According to a recent study, your diet plays a significant role in your sexual health. Replacing greasy or fat-filled foods in your diet with fruits high in flavonoids can have a significant positive effect on the health of your vascular system, including a reduction in the incidence of erectile dysfunction.
The Cardiovascular Disease and ED Connection
To achieve and maintain an erection, the brain must register a stimulus, the nerves to the penis must be able to function properly, and the blood circulation to the penis must be sufficient. If any of these three things are absent or interfered with, erectile dysfunction may be the result.
The system through which our blood flows throughout the body is called the vascular system. The vascular system includes every blood vessel from the tiniest capillary to the major arteries and veins. The vascular system is also the most commonly affected systems of the body, falling prey to poor eating habits, smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise. Cardiovascular disease, which involves the heart as well as the vascular system, is one of the leading causes of chronic illness and death in men.
Now, the vascular system is of primary importance when it comes to a discussion of erectile dysfunction because the process of getting and keeping an erection relies on blood flow. If blood cannot flow to the penis correctly, the ability to achieve and erection and maintain to its conclusion will be interrupted. The blood vessels of the penis are vulnerable to the same diseases that the rest of the body’s blood vessels are, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis is the most severe vascular disease that can cause erectile dysfunction. Sometimes called hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis causes the flexible inner lining of the blood vessels to become less pliant, making it more difficult for the vessels to dilate fully and allow the proper blood flow to get through and to organs throughout the body. The small blood vessels like those in the penis are often the first to become hardened and even blocked, so much so that erectile dysfunction is viewed as a reliable indicator of future heart problems.
Prevention of atherosclerosis relies primarily on diet and exercise. Eating a low-fat diet rich in fiber can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as improving cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Also, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants has been proven to have a positive effect on vascular health. Some of the most valuable antioxidants are the flavonoids.
How Flavonoids Work
Flavonoids are manufactured within plants, providing pigmentation to the plants and helping them to filter UV rays. They also contribute to protecting plants from external assaults by insects, fungus, and microbes. When we consume flavonoids in our food, namely in fruits and vegetables, we take their valuable antioxidant and protective properties into our bodies, reducing the harmful effects of free radicals on the body. Flavonoids are especially helpful for men suffering from erectile dysfunction because their ability to reduce inflammation and reduce the adhesion response of the cells helps to lower the risk for atherosclerosis.
Flavonoids in Fruit
There are many types of flavonoids found in all manner of plants, but the types that are most influential when it comes to vascular health and preventing erectile dysfunction are flavanones, anthocyanins, and flavones, which are primarily found in fruit. According to the same study, the more flavonoids a man consumed, the lower his risk of developing vascular disease and erectile dysfunction.
Fruit flavonoids are present universally, but certain types of fruit have higher levels of these particular flavonoids, making them ideal to be eaten regularly as a part of meals and as snacks. Eating flavonoid-rich fruits at least three times per week, and preferably, will also help to reduce the risk of other chronic conditions and diseases including heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and even some cancers.
Berries are generally very high in flavonoids, including blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries. Citrus fruits are high in flavonoids, most notably grapefruit. Bananas, a rich source of potassium, are also excellent sources of flavonoids. Peaches, plums, and nectarines are also on the list, as are cherries and apples.
Red grapes are one of the most reliable sources of antioxidants, including flavonoids. Red wine has long been touted for its heart-healthy benefits, so it’s no surprise to see it among recommended foods, though of course wine isn’t food. Studies have shown that a glass of red wine a day could help to reduce erectile dysfunction by as much as 10 percent and, with the addition of exercise, by as much as 21 percent.
For so many men in the U.S., and around the world, erectile dysfunction is a physical and psychological problem. Not only does it have a profound negative effect on relationships and self-esteem, but it also can be a harbinger of serious medical conditions to come, including heart disease and diabetes. Though many treatments on the market help you to live with erectile dysfunction, you would probably prefer to prevent ED from happening in the first place. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet, cutting out high-fat and high sugar foods, as well as controlling portion size and exercise, are the best ways to keep your cardiovascular system healthy and working smoothly. Blood flow is the key when you’re talking about ED, and keeping the vascular system healthy and running smoothly will ensure that you’re able to maintain a healthy sex life without the assistance of medications for a long time.
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