Eating right is not going to magically cure you of your erectile dysfunction, but it is definitely a huge step in preventing it and makes it much easier to treat if you are unlucky enough to get it. Although they are not a cure; there are some foods that contain nutrients that are proven to help the body fight off the causes of ED naturally.
The reason that certain foods help with symptoms of ED is because of their connection to our vascular health. Certain ingredients in food like saturated fats and cholesterol can harm our vascular health so it makes sense that some food would help to improve it. As you know; vascular health is crucial when it comes to achieving and sustaining an erection. Erection problems arise when the blood flow to the penis is constricted. This is why; any foods that promote proper blood flow and vascular health are going to be a good treatment for ED.
Adding the following foods to your diet will help to improve your ED as well as your overall health.
Ingredients for Healthy Living
1. Antioxidants: Watermelon. Eating foods containing antioxidants can make an impact on the symptoms of ED. Watermelon, for instance, is said to have the same effects as a ED medication like Cialis or Viagra, but to a lesser degree. Watermelon contains nutrients called phytonutrients which are antioxidants as well. This is one of the many foods that cause the blood vessels in the body to loosen and allow proper blood flow. As the name suggests; watermelon is almost all water. Less than 10% of it nutrients that are very beneficial to the human body.
2. Vitamin B3 or Niacin: Tuna and Salmon. Vitamin B3 is a vitamin that is crucial to the health of the human body. We need a certain amount of this vitamin in our body in order to function normally. Foods that contain large amounts of this vitamin are Tuna, Salmon and Beets. When additional amounts of Vitamin B3 or Niacin are added to the body; it can lower your risk of heart problems as well as your cholesterol. Other foods that contain a high amount of Niacin are fish, eggs, meat, poultry and green vegetables. Some foods have Niacin added. To treat ED; add more Niacin to your diet, but don’t get carried away. It is recommended that you consume no more than 1,500 mg per day for no more than 12 weeks to treat symptoms of ED.
3. Protein: Pistachios. Protein is another nutrient that is crucial for our bodies. Pistachios have a particularly high rate of success for treating ED because of the high concentration of a protein called arginine. This is a protein that is proven to loosen blood vessels in the body and promote proper blood flow. A major study was conducted on the effect of pistachios on ED. Men who suffered from ED ate pistachios daily for three weeks and saw much improvement in their ED as well as their overall sex drive.
4. Zinc: Liver, Oysters. Zinc is something that never gets a lot of attention when it comes to talking about good health, but it is very good at boosting the immune system. It has multiple effects on the body that make it an essential part of a good diet. Zinc is important to the breakdown of carbohydrates, cell growth and division and to promote healing. It can also help to maintain our ability to taste and smell. When your body is short on zinc; it starts to affect it negatively. Your body takes longer to heal after sickness or injury, your hair falls out and you get depressed. The problem with increasing your zinc intake is that it is harder to absorb into the body. Even if you eat enough foods with zinc; the phytic acid keeps the body from absorbing a good portion of it. You can eliminate this acid through cooking so you aren’t going to get as much zinc if you eat any of the foods raw.
Oysters have long been rumored to contribute to sexual arousal. They actually do raise the testosterone level in men which can cause them to be more easily aroused. It is the high concentration of zinc in oysters that gives that boost in the production of testosterone. Low testosterone is one of the causes of ED so oysters are obviously a good thing for men to eat who suffer from it or just want to give their sex drive a little boost.
The highest concentration of zinc is found in meats like oysters, but you can still find zinc in vegetables and other foods. Raw, organic seeds are an excellent source of zinc and other nutrients. Pumpkin seeds have 14% zinc, hemp seeds have 20%, and sesame seeds have 20%. Other foods with zinc are avocado at 10%, shiitake mushrooms at 14%, and cashew nuts at 11%.
5. Nitrates: Spinach and Celery. Nitrates are known as vasodilators which help loosen blood vessels and allow for normal blood flow. Anything that helps blood flow is going to be good for ED. Green vegetables like spinach and celery carry high levels of nitrates. Beet juice is also a very good and concentrated amount of nitrates as well. Nitrates were considered a useful treatment for ED long before Viagra was ever introduced to the market. Drugs like Viagra actually rely on nitrates to make them effective in opening blood vessels and treating erection problems.
6. Flavonoids: Dark Chocolate. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are naturally produced in plants to assist in the repair of damaged cells and keep them from being damaged by toxins. They can also assist the human body in lowering cholesterol levels as well as treat high blood pressure. They have also been proven to promote good circulation. All of these factors serve to help treat symptoms of ED. A high concentration of flavonoids can be found in dark chocolate.
7. Lycopene: Tomatoes. Lycopene is also an antioxidant. It is a phytonutrient like the ones present in watermelons. It can be found in fruits that are a deep red color as well as in pink grapefruits. Tomatoes have a high concentration of lycopene. Eating foods rich in lycopene can help treat ED by promoting good circulation. If you mix tomatoes or other lycopene rich foods with olive oil or avocados; the body will absorb it better.
The 7 essential ingredients to your diet and the foods that contain them
Antioxidants: Prunes, Pinto Beans, Red Beans, Black Beans, Artichoke, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Red Apples, Granny Smith Apples, Gala Apples, Strawberries, Sweet Cherries, Watermelon, Black Plums, Russet Potatoes, Pecans
Vitamin B3: Peanuts, Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Tuna, Salmon, Swordfish, Mackerel, White Mushrooms, Brown Mushrooms
Protein: Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Seeds, Yogurt, Dried Kidney Beans, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Pinto Beans, Dried Lentils, Almonds, Seitan Rice, Eggs, Quinoa, Cottage Cheese, Pistachios
Zinc: Wheat Germs, Pumpkin Seeds, Squash Seeds, Spinach, Oysters, Lamb, Beef, Sesame Seeds, Pine Seeds, Cashews, Dark Chocolate, Cocoa, Kidney Beans, Chicken, Pork, Portabella Mushrooms, White Mushrooms, Shitake Mushrooms
Nitrates: Squash, Carrots, Beans, Onions, Eggplant, Garlic, Arugula, Celery, Rhubarb, Beets
Flavonoids: Raspberries, Blueberries, Cabbage, Black Beans, Pears, Apples, Apricots, Onions, Tomatoes, Parsley
Lycopene: Grapefruit, Asparagus, Guavas, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Papaya, Sweet Red Peppers, Mango, Carrots, Red Cabbage, Avocado, Green Peas, Sunflower Seeds