Erectile Dysfunction Treatment: Can Food and Diet Help?

Diet and lifestyle

Changes to diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of developing conditions that lead to ED, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

They may also help you boost your overall health and manage your stress levels, which, in turn, can contribute to a healthy sex life.

Healthy lifestyle habits that may help you manage ED include:

getting regular exercise

eating a varied and nutritious diet

maintaining a healthy weight

limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco use

sharing intimate times with a partner that do not involve sex

Various studies have suggested a link between ED and diet. A reviewTrusted Source published in 2018 concluded that:

ED is less common among those who follow a Mediterranean diet.

Weight loss improves ED in people with overweight or obesity.

Those who follow a “western diet” may have lower semen quality.

A Mediterranean diet favors fresh, plant-based foods with fish and a little meat over processed foods and a high intake of meat.

SUMMARY

Taking care of our overall health and eating a varied and nutritious diet can help prevent or manage ED.

Consume cocoa

Some researchTrusted Source suggests that consuming foods that are high in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, may help reduce the risk of ED.

A 2018 studyTrusted Source of data for males ages 18–40 showed that those who consumed 50 milligrams (mg) or more of flavonoids per day were 32% less likely to report ED.

There are many types of flavonoids, but sources includeTrusted Source:

cocoa and dark chocolate

fruits and vegetables

nuts and grains

tea

wine

Flavonoids increase blood flowTrusted Source and the concentration of nitric oxide in the blood, both of which play a role in getting and maintaining an erection.

SUMMARY

Flavonoids, present in cocoa and many plant-based foods, may help manage ED through improving supplies of nitric oxide and blood.

Pick pistachios

This tasty green nut may be more than a great snack.

In a 2011 studyTrusted Source, 17 males who had ED for at least 1 year ate 100 grams of pistachios per day for 3 weeks. At the end of the study, there was an overall improvement in their scores for:

erectile function

cholesterol levels

blood pressure

Pistachios contain plant proteins, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. These may contribute to cardiovascular health and nitric oxide production.

SUMMARY

The antioxidants and healthy fats in pistachios may make them a good choice for people with ED.

Reach for watermelon

Watermelon is a good source of lycopeneTrusted Source, which may have various health benefits.

In a 2012 studyTrusted Source, lycopene improved ED in rats with diabetes, prompting researchers to suggest that it could become a treatment option.

Other sources of lycopene include:

tomatoes

grapefruit

papaya

red peppers

Watermelon also contains citrulline, a compound that helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.

In 2018, scientistsTrusted Source found evidence that adding a L-citrulline-resveratrol combination to PDE5i therapy (such Viagra) may help those who find standard treatment doesn’t work well enough.

SUMMARY

Lycopene and citrulline, present in watermelon, could help prevent ED, say some studies.

Get some more tips here on foods to boost sperm quality and penis health.

Grab a coffee?

In 2015, researchersTrusted Source analyzed data for 3,724 men to see if there was a link between caffeine consumption and ED. Results showed that ED was more likely to occur in those who consumed less caffeine.

While unable to provide a link, the results may suggest that caffeine has a protective effect.

A more recent studyTrusted Source, published in 2018, did not find any link between coffee consumption and ED.

This research was based on self-reported data from 21,403 males ages 40–75 and included both regular and decaffeinated coffee.

SUMMARY

It’s not clear whether coffee or caffeine affects the chances of having ED.

Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs

It’s not clear exactly how alcohol affects ED. In a 2018 studyTrusted Source that involved 84 males with alcohol dependence, 25% said they had ED.

Meanwhile, a reviewTrusted Source published in the same year looked at data for 154,295 males.

The results suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may decrease the risk of ED, while drinking over 21 units a week, drinking very little, or never drinking appeared to have no impact.

In 2010, a studyTrusted Source involving 816 people found that those who consumed three or more drinks a week and smoked tobacco were more likely to have ED than those who drank less.

However, nonsmokers who drank the same amount did not appear to have a higher risk.

One review articleTrusted Source notes that over 50% of males will have some level of ED after age 40, but this rate is higher in smokers.

The authors say this is probably because smoking can damage the vascular system, which affects blood supply to the penis.

Some drugs and medications can also make ED more likely to occur, but this will depend on the drug.

Learn more in this article.

SUMMARY

The link between alcohol and ED is unclear, although people with alcohol dependence may have a higher risk. Smoking may also be a risk factor.

What about herbal supplements?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)Trusted Source, there’s not enough evidence to show that any complementary therapy can help with ED.

If you want to try an alternative option, be sure to speak to your doctor first to make sure the therapy is safe to use.

The Mayo Clinic says the following supplements may help. However, they may have adverse effects.

dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

ginseng

propionyl-L-carnitine

The NCCIH notes that there are supplements for ED on the market, sometimes called “herbal viagra.”

They warn that these products may:

be contaminated

contain dangerously high doses of some ingredients

interact with other medications

They also urge people to avoid products that:

promise results in 30–40 minutes

are sold as alternatives to approved drugs

are sold in single doses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source has found that many of these products contain prescription medications. The labels on these supplements often don’t disclose all ingredients, some of which could be harmful.

Always speak to your doctor before trying a new remedy to check that it will be safe.

SUMMARY

There’s no evidence that herbal remedies are effective, and some may be unsafe. Always speak to a doctor first.

Bottom line

ED affects many males, especially as they get older. There are various causes, and a doctor can help you find out why ED is occurring. This may include testing for underlying health problems.

They can also help you make a suitable treatment plan.

Combining exercise with a healthy, balanced diet will help you maintain your overall health and well-being. This can also contribute to a healthy sex life.

Can Vitamins And Supplements Effectively Treat Erectile Dysfunction?

Supplements and ED

Lifestyle changes

Takeaway

By 2025, it’s expected that 322 million men will be affected by erectile dysfunction worldwide (1Trusted Source).

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized as a symptom, not a condition. Though there are many causes of ED, the most common include health conditions such as diabetes, sleep disorders, and heart disease, as well as lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol misuse (2Trusted Source).

You can’t prevent some causes of ED, such as aging. However, research shows that a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of ED. For example, maintaining a body weight that’s healthful for you through physical activity has been associated with lower rates of ED (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

Though ED is treatable through prescription medications or medical procedures, there has been an increased interest in alternative remedies to improve ED symptoms.

In particular, many people may wonder whether certain supplements and vitamins are effective. This article tells you which supplements and vitamins may help manage ED.

Supplements and erectile dysfunction

Though there’s no conclusive data to support taking supplements to treat ED, some research shows that certain vitamins and herbal remedies may improve ED symptoms.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most studied vitamins in the treatment of ED. It’s a steroid hormone that has been linked with sexual function and cardiovascular health.

One 2020 analysis showed a significant association between low vitamin D levels and ED severity. This suggests that low levels may make symptoms worse, compared with adequate vitamin D levels (5Trusted Source).

Another study from 2016 in 92 males with type 2 diabetes showed higher rates of ED and worsened ED symptoms in those with low vitamin D levels, compared with people with adequate levels (6Trusted Source).

Other studies have also shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and ED (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

That said, one 2019 analysis showed no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and ED. Though, it suggested ED symptoms may be heightened in those with other chronic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, heart disease) and low vitamin D levels (9Trusted Source).

It’s believed that vitamin D may support ED by improving blood flow to the penis and supporting the production of male hormones, such as testosterone. While this theory is promising, more research is needed to confirm it (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

If you suspect you or a loved one has a vitamin D deficiency, get your levels checked by a healthcare professional. For most people, vitamin D levels can be easily balanced with a vitamin D supplement.

Red ginseng

Red ginseng is commonly referred to as the “herbal Viagra” for its ability to help with ED. It’s also known as panax ginseng.

Red ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides, which may help to relax smooth muscle in the penis to support an erection. Plus, it’s believed to improve cardiovascular health, which is commonly associated with ED (12Trusted Source).

One 2018 analysis showed significant improvements in International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) scores with red ginseng, compared with a placebo. There were also significant improvements in erectile function and sexual satisfaction (13Trusted Source).

Another 2021 review showed minor improvements in ED symptoms, but the authors suggested the effects may not be clinically relevant (14Trusted Source).

That said, more research is needed.

L-arginine

L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that increases nitric oxide production, which can help stimulate an erection.

One 2019 analysis showed that supplementing with 1,500 to 5,000 mg of L-arginine led to significant improvements in IIEF scores. The authors concluded L-arginine may be effective in treating mild to moderate ED (15Trusted Source).

Another 2020 randomized study showed L-arginine (2,500 mg per day) was equally as effective in treating mild and moderate ED as tadalafil (5 mg), a common ED medication. And a combination of both therapies showed the most improvements (16Trusted Source).

Another study showed similar improvements in ED with L-alanine by itself as well as when combined with tadalafil (17Trusted Source).

L-carnitine

L-carnitine is an amino acid derivative that supports fat metabolism, sperm production, and cardiovascular health. It may support ED by improving penile blood flow (18Trusted Source).

In particular, Propionyl-L-carnitine has been shown to improve ED when combined with other remedies, such as L-arginine and sildenafil (Viagra).

In one study in 54 men with ED, taking a supplement containing Propionyl-L-carnitine, L-arginine, and niacin (vitamin B3) for 3 months led to significant improvements in IIEF scores (19Trusted Source).

Notably, 37% and 46% of subjects reported minor or substantial improvements in ED symptoms, respectively. That said, the study couldn’t attribute the improvement in symptoms solely to L-carnitine (19Trusted Source).

One review showed that non-responders to sildenafil (Viagra) may have low L-carnitine and vitamin D levels, suggesting supplementation may improve medication effectiveness (20Trusted Source).

While this is promising, more clinical research is needed before it can be recommended as a stand-alone remedy.

Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is a small, leafy plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac. Research on it is mixed, though (21Trusted Source).

In one 2014 randomized, double-blind study, supplementing with Tribestan (Tribulus terrestris, 800 mg per day) for 30 days was not effective in improving IIEF scores compared to a placebo (22Trusted Source).

In contrast, a 2017 randomized, double-blind study showed significant improvements in IIEF scores after supplementing with Tribestan (Tribulus terrestris, 1,500 mg per day) for 12 weeks. The authors suggested it may be an effective option in treating mild to moderate ED (23Trusted Source).

Another 2016 review suggested that though research on Tribulus terrestris in treating ED is inconclusive, it may provide modest improvements in symptoms. The authors concluded that more human trials are needed (24Trusted Source).

While these remedies may help reduce ED, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements to make sure it’s right for you and won’t interact with any medications you may be taking.

SUMMARY

Certain supplements may support ED, such as vitamin D, red ginseng, L-alanine, L-carnitine, and Tribulus terrestris. That said, more research is needed.

Other remedies

Though some causes of ED aren’t preventable, such as aging or neurological conditions, you or a loved one may be able to improve sexual health by making certain lifestyle changes.

In particular, these factors contribute to ED (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source):

smoking

obesity

stress

a sedentary lifestyle

alcohol misuse

Smoking damages blood vessels throughout the body, reducing their ability to dilate and send blood to the penis to produce an erection (25Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source).

Plus, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse are all associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions (like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease) that may result in ED (25Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

Stress and poor mental health are also associated with ED. So, finding positive coping mechanisms and working with a trained mental health professional may be helpful (25Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

That said, if you or a loved one is still struggling with ED after making these lifestyle changes, talk with a healthcare professional that specializes in this area. They can go over the many treatment options that are available.

SUMMARY

Some lifestyle habits are highly associated with ED, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, and stress. So, making healthy lifestyle behavior changes may reduce your ED symptoms.

The bottom line

ED affects millions of people with a penis worldwide. Though effective medications and medical interventions are available, some people may be looking for alternative remedies to treat or reduce ED symptoms.

Some research supports supplementing with vitamin D, red ginseng, L-alanine, L-carnitine, and Tribulus terrestris to treat mild to moderate ED. In some cases, they may also improve the effectiveness of ED medications, such as Viagra.

While promising, research into vitamins and supplements to treat ED is still in its infancy. This means more research is needed before they can be recommended as stand-alone treatments.

If you or a loved one is looking to try supplements to help with ED, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional first.