If you are having issues when it comes to getting it up, then you might consider the possibility of suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). But this might not be your biggest problem at the moment. One of the most common causes for ED is having problems with your heart, since cardiovascular health affects erections.
What’s the Connection?
The connection here consists in the fact that the blood vessels in the penis are very small, being just 1-2 mm in diameter. This means that they can even get blocked by plaque created by lack of exercise, smoking, poor diet, age or genetic factors. As such, if they get blocked, blood cannot reach the penis, thus rendering an erection impossible.
However, if you happen to have plaque-affected arteries, this may lead to even more serious health issues, such as heart attack or death.
Erection Is Not Your Only Problem
Men who have erectile dysfunction have an increased risk of premature death, with even 70%, as a study developed by the University of Mississippi has shown recently. But what can you do about it? If you want to protect your penis and live longer, then you should start taking up a Mediterranean diet.
Could Diet Be the Solution?
An Italian study analyzed 35 men who had ED, plus metabolic syndrome, started eating fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and olive oil. At the same time, 30 other men that suffered from metabolic syndrome had a control diet. The study, which lasted for two years, showed that 1/3 of the men who switched to a Mediterranean diet brought back their penis performance. Moreover, the inflammation levels in their bodies have dropped significantly.
Despite the fact that scientists can’t pinpoint exactly what helps with the erection, they suspect it might be the fiber and antioxidants that help a good blood flow.
