The impact of whatever we ingest has the maximum influence on our health than anything else. Barring genetic disorders, most of the health issues that mankind faces can be either avoided or subdued with the help of food. In ancient times, most illnesses were used to be cured with the help of various foods, and this is still applicable in today’s modern times.
Similarly, there are health problems that either arise from food or gets worsen due to certain food items that we ingest in daily life. Serious medical conditions like erectile dysfunction or impotence in men might actually arise due to the unregulated consumption of some specific food items. Let us have a look at the top eleven worst foods for erectile dysfunction.
11 Foods not good for Erectile Dysfunction Problems
1. Fats
Saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol are closely associated with heart diseases, and men with heart ailments tend to be more prone to ED. Let us understand how. Some of the most commonly taken fatty foods or junk foods are:
- Pizza
- Burgers
- French fries
- Potato chips
- Deep fried snacks
- Fatty meats
- Processed meats
- White bread
- Bakery products
- Ice-cream
- Chocolates
Who says these yummy fats are harmful to erection?
As per the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 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 plaque buildup or fatty deposits accumulate along the walls of arteries, causing them to narrow, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Men with higher levels of cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity, and those who are chain smokers, may have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. As a result, this reduces the oxygen supply and blood flow to the organs, including your penis.
Why or how are the popular fatty foods harmful to penile erection?
Fatty foods are considered precursors of erectile dysfunction is that they are known to cause blockages in the coronary arteries. The high-fat content foods can narrow the size of the arteries that are responsible for supplying blood to the penis. Now if the arteries are clogged, the resulting reduced blood circulation would affect not only the heart but also one’s ability to achieve and maintain a penile erection. In addition, according to the Wayne University School of Medicine, men who have clogged heart arteries may also experience issues in the arteries that supply blood to the penis. In such a case, even the ED pills, like Viagra, are of no use; their efficiencies get adversely impacted by the fat.
2. Soy
Soy foods are highly nutritious, being a great source of protein, vitamin C, folate, calcium, iron, etc.- agreed! But, when you eat too much, they can be foods causing erectile dysfunction and impact your masculinity. Some of the most commonly taken soy products are:
- Soy oil
- Soy sauce and shoyu sauce
- Soy-based fiber, flour, grits, nuts, or sprouts
- Soy-based milk, yogurt, ice cream, or cheese
- Soy protein
- Tamari
- Tempeh
- Teriyaki sauce
- Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
- Tofu
- Meat substitutes
- Salad dressings
- Mayonnaise
Who says soy is harmful to erection?
As per a study published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, it has been found that two scoops of pure soy protein powder a day decreased men’s testosterone levels by 19% after about just four weeks, making soy one of the worst foods for erectile dysfunction.
Why or how the protein-rich soy products are harmful to erection?
Having large quantities of soy products has been directly linked to erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism, as they are responsible for decreasing free testosterone and increasing the DHEA blood concentration.
3. Carbs: Refined-and-Processed
Our body does need carbohydrates for healthy living, but it is important that we avoid bad carbs while picking our daily food items. Refined and processed carbs are known to bring down testosterone and increase a man’s estrogen hormone levels. This problem is particularly present in men who stick to a diet based on western culture.
- Processed noodles
- White flour
- Processed and refined cereals
- Sugar
- Pastries and similar confectionery products
- Sodas
- Processed and refined grains
Who says bad carbs are harmful while controlling erectile dysfunction?
Studies have shown that taking highly refined carbohydrates, high fructose corn syrup, and similar foods leads to metabolic disorders that can again lead to the development of ED in men. Drinking plenty of soft drinks, like flavoured soda, could cause a slow and asymptomatic progression of erectile dysfunction, which eventually manifest into actual ED.
Why or how do bad carbs may lead to ED?
Eating too much refined and processed carbs can eventually lead to weight gain, and this increased weight will lead to an increase in a man’s estrogen levels and bring down testosterone levels. According to a journal on Diabetes Care published by the University of Buffalo, 40% of non-diabetic obese participants had lower-than-normal testosterone readings.
4. Sodium or Salt
Products like canned meat and soups are rich in dietary sodium, but this is also what makes them some of the worst foods for erectile dysfunction.
Even though there are some low-sodium alternatives for such canned products, most people end up going for those with more salt because they taste good. People fail to understand that the increased salt intake can directly hinder smooth erectile function, apart from its effect on blood pressure, which can give rise to ED symptoms.
About 70% of the salt that people take comes from packaged and processed foods like:
- Bread
- Lunch meat
- Burgers
- Tacos
- Rice
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Meat and poultry
- Seafood
- Soups
Yet, some more research is needed before we can be sure about the overall influence of a high-salt diet on a man’s sexual life.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can also affect a person’s sexual health. Overconsumption of alcohol may have quite a negative impact on your sexual health and function. Too much alcohol consumption can inhibit blood flow to the penis, reducing sensation and your ability to achieve and maintain a penile erection.
A study by the Indian Journal of Psychiatry showed that 72% of men who are dependent on alcohol have one or more sexual dysfunction disorders, including premature ejaculation, low sexual desire, or erectile dysfunction.
There is no rocket science behind the fact that alcohol desensitizes you and slows reaction time, and excessive drinking habits can affect hormone levels.
According to a report in Strength and Conditioning Journal, it has been said that five or more servings of alcoholic drinks appear to suppress the production of testosterone; while one to two drinks might appear to have little or no immediate effect on testosterone.
Alcohol can cause significant problems with erections. Drinking too much alcohol over time can affect your nerves and blood vessels, including those in your penis. It should be noted that alcohol can also interfere with ED medications like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), etc.
Speaking of drinks, even diet drinks, artificial sweeteners, soda water, cold drinks, or carbonated water should be avoided as well.
6. Sugar
Regular consumption of high-sugar-content foods or drinking beverages containing sugar can lead to weight gain and a high body mass index (BMI). According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), consuming too many sugar-sweetened beverages and other sugary foods is directly linked to weight gain and an increase in BMI.
An article notes that excessive body weight and an increase in BMI can lead to ED symptoms. The researchers state that in 2014, there were 8 million cases of ED that were related to diabetes and obesity. Refined sugar should be avoided as much as possible; instead, we can go for the natural sugar that is present in healthy fruits.
Why or how does Sugar lead to ED in men?
Obesity is directly linked to erectile issues, which makes sugar an indirect contributing factor to 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 quickly spikes as the glucose hits your bloodstream. 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 likely it is that it will affect your sexual health.
When you consume food, your body produces another hormone besides insulin, i,e leptin. Leptin is known as the hunger hormone because it sends a signal to your brain when you are full, so you will stop eating.
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.
7. Spearmint
A study printed in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that spearmint can significantly reduce levels of testosterone, a hormone that plays a significant role in libido.
However, in case you like the occasional cup of mint tea, you may consume it in moderation.
8. Water in Plastic Bottles
Water is ‘life’! But this life can go up for a toss if it comes in a plastic bottle. Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, is a chemical component found in most plastic food containers and cans that’s associated with negative impacts on fertility in both men and women.
A Slovenian study in the journal Fertility & Sterility found quite a significant association between urinary BPA concentration in men and lower total sperm count, concentration, and vitality.
Additionally, another study out of Harvard School of Public Health found that women with the highest BPA levels in the body produced 27% less viable eggs.
9. Red meat from non-grass-fed animals
Whenever you’re adding the protein-rich benefits of red meat to your diet, always choose grass-fed beef.
The typical farmed variety is often fed artificial hormones and antibiotics, which can cause a disruption in testosterone levels.
10. Foods with perfluorooctanoic acid
Certain processed foods, like bags of microwavable popcorn, are lined with PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid.
A study spoke about the adverse effects of PFOA as it’s connected to plummeting testosterone levels.
11. Foods with oestrogenic effects
Foods like flax seeds have oestrogenic effects; meaning they increase the levels of estrogen in the bloodstream, which in turn, can lead to erectile problems.