08/25/2021 10:44 AM
Clarín.com
Good Life
Updated 08/25/2021 10:44 AM
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health are
supported by scientific evidence
.
Multiple studies have demonstrated its cardioprotective effects and now one presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC 2021) observed promising results for erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction, which is defined as the
inability to achieve or maintain an erection
, is a common male problem, the prevalence of which increases with age: some studies indicate a prevalence greater than 50% in
men between 40 and 70 years
, given that the decrease in testosterone levels from middle age contributes to its appearance.
Also known as
Male sexual impotence is primarily considered a
disorder of the small arteries
, which lose the ability to dilate and increase blood flow to the penis.
And there are some conditions that can increase the odds, like hypertension.
Men with high blood pressure are twice as likely to have problems getting or maintaining an erection, according to the authors of the work published in the journal
Nutrients
.
Diet, a factor to take into account
What did previous studies show about the Mediterranean diet?
Which helps to
lower blood pressure
, prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Based on that evidence, a team led by Athanasios Angelis, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece, evaluated adherence to the Mediterranean diet in middle-aged men with high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.
In addition, they examined whether dietary habits were related to fitness,
testosterone levels, blood flow
, arterial stiffness, and erectile performance.
The Mediterranean diet is a very popular eating pattern in countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, and is based on a
high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil
, a modest intake of dairy products, and limited intake of red meat.
The study included 250 men with high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction, with an average age of 56 years.
Consumption of the Mediterranean diet was assessed using a
questionnaire
and the participants received a score from 0 to 55 (higher values indicate greater adherence).
Exercise capacity was assessed through a treadmill test and testosterone was measured in blood samples taken before 9 a.m.
Regarding vascular health, an
echocardiogram
was performed
to assess coronary flow reserve, indicating the ability to increase blood flow when necessary.
Values of 2 or more are considered normal and point to better vascular function.
They also examined arterial stiffness using two measures:
rate of increase and central pulse pressure
.
Higher values indicate stiffer arteries, which are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiac events in men with erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction severity was assessed using the
Men's Sexual Health Inventory
(SHIM), which uses five questions about erectile ability to assign a score from 0 to 25, with higher values correlated with better performance.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and whole grains.
What did you find?
That men with a higher Mediterranean diet score (above 29) also had a
higher coronary flow and testosterone reserve
, better erectile performance (SHIM score above 14), and lower arterial stiffness.
When the relationships by physical state were analyzed, the researchers found that patients with
greater exercise capacity
(above 10 METs) had greater coronary flow reserve, testosterone, Mediterranean diet score (greater than 25), and SHIM score. (greater than 12), and less arterial stiffness.
Better physical and vascular condition is associated with less erectile dysfunction.
Illustrative photo Shutterstock.
More testosterone and sexual performance
"In our study, eating a Mediterranean diet was linked to better exercise capacity, healthier arteries and blood flow,
higher testosterone levels, and better erectile performance
," said Angelis, of the First Cardiology Clinic at Hippokration Hospital, in Athens.
"While we did not examine the mechanisms," he added, "it seems plausible that this dietary pattern may
improve fitness
and erectile performance by improving blood vessel function and limiting the drop in testosterone that occurs in middle age."
And he concluded: "The findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet could play a
role in the maintenance of various parameters of
vascular
health
and quality of life and in middle-aged men with hypertension and erectile dysfunction."
Look also
"Matchear" at 70: how is the experience of looking for a partner online
How many minutes of healthy life a day you can add with small changes in your diet