Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Erectile Dysfunction

What should I eat if I have ED?

Research shows that a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED) and improve ED symptoms.³

Your food choices are important for managing or preventing ED. Studies have shown that certain diets—such as the Mediterranean diet—help decrease the chance of getting ED.^4,5 Table A3-5 of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF, 32.5 MB) offers more information about the Mediterranean diet for healthy eating.

Healthy food choices include

• vegetables, such as cabbage, leafy greens, and beets
• fruits, such as apples, berries, kiwifruit, and oranges
• legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas
• unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and fatty fish
• whole-grain foods, such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa

Your health care professional may suggest you work with a registered dietitian, if possible, to create an eating plan for your individual needs. You can find a registered dietitian online through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or through your health care professional. A dietitian can create a custom meal plan for you.

A healthy diet can lower the risk of developing ED or improve ED symptoms.

What foods and drinks should I avoid if I have ED?

Foods and drinks that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity can also increase the chance of having ED.

Try to avoid or limit

• foods high in saturated fats, such as red meat and fried foods
• full-fat dairy foods, including whole milk, cream, butter, and cheese
• refined carbohydrates, such as pastries, chips, white rice, and candy
• foods and drinks high in sodium and added sugars
• packaged foods, such as lunch meats and snack bars
• drinks that contain alcohol

References