Diet unrelated to erectile function

Sticking to any of the popular diets does not seem to have a notable effect on erectile function, according to a recent study.

Drawing from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researchers retrieved the data of 4,027 men (aged 18–85 years) between the years 2001 and 2004, focusing on their responses to the dietary and prostate health questionnaires. Three dietary patterns were examined: Mediterranean, low-fat, and nonrestrictive.

Most (73.06 percent) of the participants had unrestricted diets, while 26.94 percent and 16.12 percent adhered to Mediterranean and low-fat diets, respectively.

Multivariable regression analysis showed no significant link between diet and erectile function. Compared to participants on nonrestrictive diets, men on Mediterranean (odds ratio [OR], 0.749, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.358–1.566; p=0.430) or low-fat (OR, 0.383, 95 percent CI, 0.132–1.109; p=0.075) diet did not see a significantly different risk of erectile dysfunction.

Instead, age (p<0.001), obesity (p=0.042), being of a higher income bracket (p=0.008), alcohol use (p=0.015), and albumin level (p=0.007) emerged as significant correlates of erectile function.

“[T]here was no difference in erectile function between men adhering to restrictive diets and men on nonrestrictive diets,” the researchers said. “However, potential benefits of restrictive diets on body mass index, comorbidities, and glucose tolerance may indirectly impact erectile function. Future prospective research is required to validate these findings.”

“This is the largest analysis of the association between macronutrient restrictive diets and erectile function in the US. By controlling for body mass index, diabetes, comorbidity, and testosterone levels in multivariable models, we were able to examine the independent effect of diet on erectile function,” they added.