Flavonoids Associated with Better Erectile Function

If you are worried about erectile dysfunction (ED), you might want to turn to the produce section. Flavonoid-rich foods may lower your risk of ED, which affects half of middle-aged and older men, according to a study published in February 2016 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Three main types of flavonoids—anthocyanins, flavanones, and flavones—had the greatest benefit. These natural plant chemicals are found in berries like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, as well as cherries, grapes, apples, pears, and citrus fruits.

More than 50,000 men participated in the study, and those who consumed at least three portions of flavonoid-rich foods per week were 10% less likely to suffer from ED. Flavonoids may help by making arteries more flexible and increasing blood flow, says lead author Dr. Aedin Cassidy from the University of East Anglia.

"Adding a few more portions of these fruits to your diet also can help prevent cardiovascular disease, and ED is often an early barometer of poor vascular function," she says.