Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction to Immediately Avoid

If you’re worried about erectile dysfunction (ED), you may be wondering if your foods choices are putting you at risk. Can certain foods or beverages leads to ED, let’s find out!

So is food really matter? I thought pills already help with that!

The short answer is, “yes.” Food does matter. Some foods, like red meat and fried foods, are linked to many different health problems — including ED. And when it comes to alcohol, there’s really no amount that’s safe to drink.

The top 4 worst foods and drinks for Erectile Dysfunction

No single food or food group will cause ED. Your health is about more than what you eat or drink. But there is good evidence that some types of foods are risk factors for certain health conditions. In turn, these may cause ED (or make it more likely).

1. Fried foods are best to avoid

Fried foods are high in saturated fat and trans fat. You can deep-fry almost anything in oil, but common favorites include:

• French fries
• Chicken strips
• Fish and chips
• Mozzarella strips
• Egg rolls
• Fried chicken
• Corn dogs

Eating these foods frequently can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and high cholesterol — all of which can cause ED.

2. Red meat can lead to more serious ED

Just like fried foods, red meat is high in saturated fat. Red meat generally refers to any animal protein that’s not fish or poultry, including:

• Beef
• Lamb
• Pork
• Veal
• Goat
• Venison
• Mutton

The saturated fat in red meat can increase your cholesterol levels and cause fatty buildup in your blood vessels — including the ones in your penis. This can make it harder for blood to flow into your genitals. And without good blood flow, your penis can’t become erect.

3. Foods high in sodium are bad for Erectile Dysfunction

Eating too much salt (sodium chloride) can cause high blood pressure, which some research studies have linked to ED.

About 70% of the salt people eat comes from packaged and processed foods, including:

• Bread
• Lunch meat
• Burgers
• Tacos
• Rice
• Pasta
• Pizza
• Meat and poultry
• Seafood
• Soups

A high-salt diet may also be directly connected to ED. But more research is needed before we can say for sure.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol can cause major problems with erections. Drinking too much alcohol over time can affect your nerves and blood vessels, including those in your penis. Even 1 to 2 drinks can make it harder to have an erection — especially if you already have a history of erection problems. And keep in mind: Drinking alcohol can also interfere with ED medications like Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil).

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.