Tue.  Feb 2, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- It has been known that high intake of several flavonoids lowers risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.  A new study suggests that eating high amounts of fruit may also lower risk of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by vascular pathology, but also inadequate diet.  Certain foods can downgrade vascular health, which is in turn linked to the male sexual dysfunction.

The study based on data from 25,096 men who were enrolled in the Health Professional Follow-Up Study shows that incident erectile dysfunction was common among the health professionals - with 35.6% reporting the condition during a 4-year follow-up.

However, the same study also reveals that high intakes of flavones, flavanones and anthocyanins were associated with 9%, 11% and 9% reduction in the risk of erectile dysfunction, respectively after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors.

Specifically, higher total intake of fruit, which is found high in anthocyanins and flavanones, was correlated with a 14 reduced risk of erectile dysfunction, compared to lower total intake of fruit.

The study suggests what a man eats may have some effect on his sexual performance.  (David Liu)

Aedín Cassidy, Mary Franz, and Eric B Rimm, Dietary flavonoid intake and incidence of erectile dysfunction, First published January 13, 2016, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition