Scientists believe that this dietary pattern improves vascular health and endurance. In turn, this helps maintain an erection. They reported the results of the study at a conference of the European Society of Cardiology.
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It is known that men with arterial hypertension develop erectile dysfunction (impotence) more often than their peers with normal blood pressure. This is due to damage to the walls of small vessels with hypertension and the subsequent decrease in blood flow in the penis.
Previously, studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet helps lower blood pressure and prolongs the life of hypertensive patients. In a new study, Greek scientists checked whether it has a positive effect on middle-aged men with high division and erectile dysfunction.
The study involved 250 men, with an average age of 56. All of them suffered from hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The scientists examined the participants in a variety of ways. Using a survey, they assessed how close their diet was to the Mediterranean diet on a 55-point scale. The authors also determined the men's physical endurance and checked their blood testosterone levels.
The study authors checked the functional state of the participants' hearts and blood vessels using echocardiography. They determined the stiffness of the arterial walls and other important indicators. Erectile dysfunction was assessed on a 25-point scale.
The scientists found that people whose diet was close in composition to the Mediterranean diet (a score above 29) had better blood flow in the coronary arteries, higher testosterone levels, and more elastic arteries. The men in this group also had better erections, with a score above 14.
“Although we did not study the mechanisms, it seems likely to us that such a dietary pattern may improve endurance and potency by improving vascular function and slowing the decline in testosterone that occurs over time,” said Athanasios Angelis from the University of Athens, co-author of the study.
The study suggests that the Mediterranean diet may play a role in maintaining several parameters of vascular health and quality of life in middle-aged men with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, Angelis said.