ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION MAY BE PREVENTED BY FOLLOWING A MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND EXERCISING REGULARLY.

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS

According to a new study, a Mediterranean diet is related to improved erectile dysfunction. The Mediterranean diet, according to studies, is associated with increased exercise capacity, healthier arteries and blood flow, greater testosterone levels, and improved erectile performance. The findings were presented during the 2021 ESC Congress.

Whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices are all part of the Mediterranean diet. In moderation, fish, seafood, dairy, and chicken are allowed. The main source of added fat is olive oil. It is a way of eating based on the traditional cuisines of Greece, Italy, and other nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, hence the name.

Erectile dysfunction is primarily a problem with the small arteries, which lose their ability to dilate and increase blood flow. The onset of the condition is aided by declining testosterone levels in middle age. Men with hypertension are twice as likely as those with normal blood  pressure to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

A total of 250 men with high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction took part in the trial. The average age of the participants was 56 years old. Participants were given a score of 0 to 55 on a scale of 0 to 55, with higher values indicating more adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A treadmill test was used to determine exercise ability, and testosterone levels in the blood samples taken before 9:00 a.m. were analyzed.

In terms of vascular health, an echocardiogram was used to determine coronary flow reserve, or the ability to increase blood flow as necessary, Values of 2 and up are considered normal and indicate improved vascular function. The researchers used two measurements to look at arterial stiffness: the augmentation index and central pulse pressure. In males with erectile dysfunction, higher readings imply stiffer arteries, which are linked to a higher risk of severe heart events.

Men with a higher Mediterranean diet score (above 29) had higher coronary flow reserve and testosterone, better erectile function (SHIM score above 14), and reduced arterial stiffness, according to the study.