Drinking too much coffee, overindulging in sugar, and excessive alcohol can harm erections. Find out which foods should be avoided!
Foods that cause male impotence are part of men’s daily lives, who often consume them without knowing their harm to sexual life.
We are talking about foods that are harmful to health. Not surprisingly, Anvisa recently determined a new food labeling, which includes a highlight on the front of the package to identify high content of added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
These same foods can also cause you to develop difficulty or inability to have, or maintain an erect penis at the moment. Know which foods cause loss of libido and avoid them!
Which foods decrease male potency?
There is not a single food or food group that causes male impotence.
What happens is that, when consumed frequently, some items may favor erectile dysfunction, especially in men who already have an increased risk.
In common, we are talking about foods that have the potential to lead to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, and that favor weight gain and obesity – risk factors for erectile dysfunction.
Know which foods are these and what other harms they can cause to erectile function:
Foods high in saturated fats
Saturated fat causes an increase in LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”), which can lead to the accumulation of plaques in the arteries, reducing blood flow to the penis, making erection difficult.
It also leads to inflammation of the body. If frequent, there can be damage to blood vessels, which will also reduce blood flow towards the limb.
Some examples of foods where saturated fats are present are: red meat, whole dairy products, and fried foods.
Foods high in sugars
Foods rich in sugars are also foods that cause male impotence, as they increase inflammation in the body. With this, blood vessels can be damaged, making it so less blood reaches the penis to enable erection.
Furthermore, in patients who have already developed type 2 diabetes and have not controlled sugar consumption, the vessels and nerves can end up even more damaged – further hindering the flow to the penis.
Foods rich in sugars include: cakes, biscuits, ice cream, chocolates, sodas, energy drinks, among others. It is worth remembering that even items considered healthy, such as isotonic drinks and yogurts, can contain hidden sugars.
Foods high in sodium
Sodium, mainly present in food salt, is among the foods that cause male impotence, as it can harm erection in several ways.
The most relevant is when it increases the risk of hypertension, which favors erectile dysfunction due to damage to blood vessels and the reduction of blood flow to the penis.
The mineral is also inflammatory, and, therefore, contributes to damage to vessels and to the decrease of blood in the limb.
There are many foods with excess sodium, such as: snacks, biscuits, sauces, condiments, processed meats like bacon and sausage, and sodas. Don’t forget that the use of salt when cooking also counts.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that sodium intake be below 2 grams per day.
Processed and ultra-processed foods
Processed and ultra-processed foods have a high content of sodium, saturated fats, and sugars. Therefore, they are considered foods that cause male impotence.
Excessive consumption of this type of food can lead to inflammation of the body, increase in cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes, factors that directly impact blood flow in the human body, including the penis.
Some foods in this category are: white breads and pastas, cakes, biscuits, cream cheese, sauces and condiments, frozen meals, sodas, snacks, fast food, and many others.
Alcoholic beverages
Although sex is often related to a glass of wine or champagne, it is wise not to overdo it.
Excessive alcohol consumption reduces testosterone levels, an essential hormone for erection. It can also dilate blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the penis.
Additionally, as it affects the nerves, excessive alcohol tends to reduce penile sensitivity, sexual responsiveness, and libido.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant. This means it can affect the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
As a consequence, there is an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which are risk factors for sexual impotence.
Furthermore, foods with caffeine cause an increase in stress, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. This set tends to decrease libido, making the erotization necessary for a quality erection difficult.
Some foods with caffeine are: coffee, black tea, chocolate, soda, and energy drinks.
What is good for a man to be more potent?
Besides the foods that cause male impotence, there are nutrients that, instead of hindering, can help at the moment. They are:
- Omega-3
- Zinc
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin C
In general, these nutrients act positively for erectile function by promoting cardiovascular health, increasing blood circulation, and aiding the production of sexual hormones.
However, it is important to remember that, to observe benefits, foods containing these nutrients must be regularly included in the diet, while foods that cause male impotence should be avoided as much as possible.
19 foods to improve erectile function
Individually, there is no food capable of enhancing erectile function and ensuring rigid and lasting erections for men.
The ideal is to include in the daily diet foods that contain nutrients such as omega-3, zinc, antioxidants, and vitamins, like:
- Berries
- Citrus fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Fatty fish (salmon, sardine, and tuna)
- Leafy green vegetables
- Garlic
- Celery
Additionally, there are some foods considered aphrodisiacs, which supposedly increase sexual desire. Although there is no scientific proof and no impact on erection, you can try the options below and see if there is a difference at the moment:
- Dark chocolate
- Oysters
- Cayenne pepper
- Ginger
- Saffron
Which fruit makes a man more potent?
Berries, rich in antioxidants and positively contribute to cardiovascular health and blood circulation, and citrus fruits, which have the same effect thanks to the concentration of vitamin C, are the best fruit options to avoid erectile dysfunction.
Therefore, the man should incorporate into his diet:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
- Orange
- Lemon
- Tangerine
- Grapefruit
Having a healthy routine also matters
Diet is a very important factor for those who want to have a quality sexual life. However, in addition to avoiding foods that cause male impotence, it is necessary to adopt other good life habits.
Regular exercise, stress management, good nights of sleep, healthy relationships, and open dialogues with a partner are as important as diet for the moment to be enjoyable.
